American States Water Company Announces Regular Common Dividends and Notice of Third Quarter 2011 Results Conference Call

On October 25, 2011, the Board of Directors of American States Water Company (NYSE:AWR) approved a quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share on the Common Shares of the Company. This action marks the 302^nd consecutive dividend payment by the Company. For more than 57 consecutive years, American States Water Company shareholders have received an increase in their aggregate annual dividend.

Dividends on the Common Shares will be payable on December 1, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 10, 2011.

The Company intends to release its 2011 third quarter financial results before the market opens on Monday, November 7, 2011. A conference call to discuss the third quarter 2011 earnings will be held that same day at 2 p.m. Eastern Time (11:00 a.m. Pacific Time).

Interested parties can listen to the live conference call over the Internet by logging on to www.aswater.com. The call will also be archived on our website and can be replayed beginning Monday, November 7, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) and will run through Monday, November 14, 2011. After logging on to the website, click the "Investors” button at the top of the page. The archive is located just above the "Stock Quote” section.

American States Water Company is the parent of Golden State Water Company and American States Utility Services, Inc. Through its utility subsidiary, Golden State Water Company, AWR provides water service to approximately 1 out of 36 Californians located within 75 communities throughout 10 counties in Northern, Coastal and Southern California (approximately 256,000 customers). The Company also distributes electricity to over 23,000 customers in the Big Bear recreational area of California. Through its contracted services subsidiary, American States Utility Services, Inc., the Company provides operations, maintenance and construction management services for water and wastewater systems located on military bases throughout the country.

American States Water Company has paid dividends to shareholders every year since 1931, increasing the dividends received by shareholders each calendar year since 1953.