UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


Form 8-K
CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 30, 2008


AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (909) 394-3600

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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing requirement of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

⃞ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
⃞ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 14a-12)
⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 5 - Corporate Governance and Management

          The Board of Directors of American States Water Company announced that on November 1, 2008, Eva G. Tang succeeded Robert J. Sprowls as Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer of American States Water Company and Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of its principal subsidiary, Golden State Water Company.  Mr. Sprowls will continue as Executive Vice President of the Company and Golden State Water Company until he becomes President and Chief Executive Officer of both companies on January 1, 2009.

          Ms. Tang has served as Vice President-Finance, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of Golden State Water Company since October 2002 and Assistant Secretary of American States Water Company since May 20, 2008.  She is 53 years old.

          In her new position, Ms. Tang will be entitled to a base salary of $260,000 per year.  She was also awarded 184 stock options with an exercise price of $32.93 and 37 restricted stock units.

          There is no arrangement or understanding between Ms. Tang and any other person pursuant to which she was appointed as Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer of the Company, and Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Golden State Water Company.  There is no family relationship between Ms. Tang and any other executive officer, employee or director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.  There has been no transaction since January 1, 2008, or any currently proposed transaction, involving the Company in which Ms Tang has a material interest or any other business relationship or transaction between the Company and Ms. Tang involving an amount exceeding $120,000.

Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.