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      <TD noWrap align=center width="99%"><FONT face=serif size=1>As filed with
        the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2008</FONT>&nbsp;
      &nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2pt double" noWrap align=right width="99%">&nbsp; <FONT face=serif size=1>Registration
        No.333-_________</FONT><FONT face=sans-serif size=1>__</FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <P align=center><B><FONT size=4>UNITED STATES <BR></FONT></B><B><FONT size=4>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION <BR></FONT></B><B><FONT size=2>Washington, D.C. 20549</FONT></B></P>
  <P align=center>___________________ <BR><FONT size=4><BR>FORM S-8</FONT></P>
  <P align=center>REGISTRATION STATEMENT <BR>UNDER <BR>THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  <BR>___________________ <BR></P>
  <P align=center><B><FONT size=4>American States Water Company
  <BR></FONT></B><FONT size=1>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its
  Charter)</FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=sans-serif><FONT face="Times New Roman">___________________&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></P>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="49%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>California</FONT></B>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="50%"><FONT face=serif size=2>95-4676679</FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="49%"><FONT face=serif size=1>(State or
        Other Jurisdiction of</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="50%"><FONT face=serif size=1>(I.R.S.
        Employer</FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="49%"><FONT face=serif size=1>Incorporation
        or Organization)</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="50%"><FONT face=serif size=1>Identification
        No.)</FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif size=2>630 East Foothill Boulevard <BR>San
  Dimas, CA 91773</FONT></B> <FONT face=serif size=2><BR></FONT><B><FONT face=serif size=2>(909) 394-3600</FONT></B> <FONT face=serif size=2><BR></FONT><FONT face=serif size=1>(Address, Including Zip Code, of
  Principal Executive Offices)</FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif>___________________ <BR><BR></FONT><B><FONT face=serif>American States Water Company <BR>2008 Stock Incentive Plan
  <BR></FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=1>(Full Title of the Plan) <BR></FONT><FONT face=serif>___________________</FONT></P>
  <P align=center>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B><FONT face=serif size=2>Robert
  J. Sprowls <BR>Executive Vice President <BR>American States Water Company
  <BR>630 East Foothill Boulevard <BR>San Dimas, CA 91773</FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2><BR></FONT><B><FONT face=serif size=2>(909)
  394-3600<BR></FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=1>(Name, Address and Telephone
  Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)</FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif size=2>COPY TO:</FONT></P>
  <P align=center>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B><FONT face=serif size=2>C.
  James Levin</FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2>,</FONT> <B><FONT face=serif size=2>Esq</FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2>. <BR></FONT><B><FONT face=serif size=2>O&#146;Melveny &amp; Myers LLP <BR></FONT></B><B><FONT face=serif size=2>400
  South Hope Street <BR>Los Angeles, CA 90071</FONT></B></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif>___________________</FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><FONT face=serif size=2>Indicate by check mark whether the
  registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated
  filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated
  filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer,&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule 12b-2 of
  the Exchange Act. (Check one):</FONT></P>
  <DIV align=center>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="40%" border=0>
  
    <TR>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="49%" ><FONT size=2>Large
        accelerated filer</FONT> <FONT face=Webdings size=2>c</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%" ><FONT size=2>Accelerated
        filer</FONT> <FONT face=Wingdings size=2>&#254;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="49%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Non-accelerated
        filer</FONT> <FONT face=Webdings size=2>c</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Smaller
        reporting company</FONT> <FONT face=Webdings size=2>c</FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV><BR>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
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      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="99%" colSpan=5>&nbsp; <FONT face=serif>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</FONT> &nbsp; &nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="18%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="22%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="22%"><FONT size=2>Proposed</FONT><FONT size=3> </FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Proposed<FONT size=3>
        </FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="13%"></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="18%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="22%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="22%"><FONT size=2>Maximum</FONT><FONT size=3> </FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Maximum<FONT size=3>
        </FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="13%"></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="18%"><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp; <FONT face=serif size=2>Title of</FONT>&nbsp; </FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="22%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Amount<FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="22%"><FONT size=2>Offering</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Aggregate<FONT size=3>
        </FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="13%"><FONT size=2>Amount Of<FONT size=3> </FONT><FONT face=serif></FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="18%">&nbsp; <FONT size=2>Securities</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="22%"><FONT size=2>To be</FONT><FONT size=3> </FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="22%"><FONT size=2>Price</FONT><FONT size=3> </FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT size=2>Offering</FONT><FONT size=3> </FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="13%"><FONT size=2>Registration</FONT><FONT size=3>
    </FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="18%"><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT> To Be Registered</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="22%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Registered<FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="22%"><FONT size=2>Per
        Share</FONT><FONT size=3> </FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Price<FONT size=3> </FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="13%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Fee<FONT size=3> </FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="18%"><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT> Common
        Shares,</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="22%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="22%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="13%"></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="18%"><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT> No par value</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="22%"><FONT size=2>1,230,000<SUP>(1)</SUP></FONT> <FONT size=2>shares</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="22%"><FONT size=2>$33.425<SUP>(2)</SUP></FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face=serif size=2>$41,112,750<SUP>(2)</SUP><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="13%"><FONT face=serif size=2>$1,615.73<SUP>(2)</SUP><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE><BR>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>
  
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT face=serif size=1>(1)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%">
        <P align=justify><FONT face=serif size=2>This Registration Statement
        covers, in addition to the number of shares of American States Water
        Company, a California corporation (the &#147;Company&#148; or the &#147;Registrant&#148;),
        common shares, no par value (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;), stated above, options
        and other rights to purchase or acquire the shares of Common Stock covered
        by this Registration Statement and, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the
        Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), an additional
        indeterminate number of shares, options and rights that may be offered or
        issued pursuant to the American States Water Company 2008 Stock Incentive
        Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) as a result of one or more adjustments under the Plan to
        prevent dilution resulting from one or more stock splits, stock dividends
        or similar transactions.</FONT></P></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top><FONT face=serif size=1>(2)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%">
        <P align=justify><FONT face=serif size=2>Pursuant to Securities Act Rule
        457(h), the maximum offering price, per share and in the aggregate, and
        the registration fee were calculated based upon the average of the high
        and low prices of the Common Stock on November 10, 2008, as quoted on the
        New York Stock Exchange composite tape and published on
        www.online.wsj.com.</FONT></P></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD vAlign=top></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%">
        <P align=justify><FONT face=serif size=2>The Exhibit Index for this
        Registration Statement is at page II-2.</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif><FONT face=serif size=2>PART
  I</FONT></FONT></B></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif><FONT face=serif size=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
  THE <BR></FONT></FONT><FONT face=serif><FONT face=serif size=2>SECTION 10(a)
  PROSPECTUS</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>The
  document(s) containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be
  sent or given to participants as specified by Securities Act Rule
  428(b)(1).</FONT><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif size=2>PART II</FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2></FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif size=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE
  <BR>REGISTRATION STATEMENT</FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Item 3. Incorporation of Certain
  Documents by Reference</FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2></FONT></P>
  <P align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>The
  following documents of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange
  Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) are incorporated herein by reference:</FONT></P>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>
  
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT face=serif size=2>(a)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="100%">
        <P align=justify><FONT face=serif size=2>The Company&#146;s Annual Report on
        Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the
        Commission on March 14, 2008 (Commission File No.
    001-14431);</FONT></P></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD noWrap></TD>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT face=serif size=2>(b)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap></TD>
      <TD width="100%">
        <P align=justify><FONT face=serif size=2>The Company&#146;s Quarterly Reports
        on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2008, June 30, 2008,
        and September 30, 2008 filed with the Commission on May 9, 2008 August 8,
        2008 and November 7, 2008, respectively. (Commission File No.
        001-14431);</FONT></P></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD noWrap></TD>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT face=serif size=2>(c)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap></TD>
      <TD width="100%">
        <P align=justify><FONT face=serif size=2>The Company&#146;s Current Reports on
        Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on January 4, 2008, January 31, 2008,
        March 31, 2008, May 2, 2008, May 23, 2008, August 4, 2008, August 26,
        2008, August 28, 2008, September 22, 2008, November 4, 2008 and November
        5, 2008. (Commission File No. 001-14431); and</FONT></P></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD noWrap></TD>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT face=serif size=2>(d)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap></TD>
      <TD width="100%">
        <P align=justify><FONT face=serif size=2>The description of the Company&#146;s
        Common Stock contained in its Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed
        with the Commission on August 20, 1998 (Commission File No. 001-14431),
        and any other amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
        description.</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>All
  documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
  14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange
  Act&#148;), prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that
  all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities
  then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
  Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
  documents; provided, however, that documents or information deemed to have been
  furnished and not filed in accordance with Commission rules shall not be deemed
  incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement. Any statement
  contained herein or in a document, all or a portion of which is incorporated or
  deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or
  superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a
  statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which
  also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
  supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
  not be deemed, except as so modified or amended, to constitute a part of this
  Registration Statement.</FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Item 4. Description of
  Securities</FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2></FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>Not applicable.</FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Item 5. Interests of Named Experts
  and Counsel</FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2></FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>Not applicable.</FONT><B><I><FONT face=serif size=2></FONT></I></B></P>
  <P align=center><FONT size=2>II-1</FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Item 6. Indemnification of Directors
  and Officers</FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2></FONT></P>
  <P align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>Section
  317 of the California Corporations Code provides that a corporation has the
  power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made
  a party to any proceeding or action by reason of the fact that he or she is or
  was a director, officer, employee or other agent of the corporation or is or was
  serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or
  agent of another corporation or other enterprise. Section 317 also grants
  authority to a corporation to include in its articles of incorporation
  indemnification provisions in excess of that permitted in Section 317, subject
  to certain limitations.</FONT></P>
  <P align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>Article V
  of the Company&#146;s Amended Articles of Incorporation authorizes the Company to
  provide indemnification of directors, officers, employees and other agents
  through bylaw provisions, agreements with agents, votes of shareholders or
  disinterested directors, or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification
  otherwise permitted by Section 317, subject only to the limitations set forth in
  Section 204 of the California Corporations Code.</FONT></P>
  <P align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>Article
  VI of the Company&#146;s Bylaws contains provisions implementing the authority
  granted in Article V of the Company&#146;s Amended Articles of Incorporation. The
  Bylaws provide for the indemnification of any director or officer of the
  Company, or any person acting at the request of the Company as a director,
  officer, employee or agent of another corporation or other enterprise, including
  a Company-sponsored employee benefit plan, for any threatened, pending or
  completed action or proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by California law
  and the Company&#146;s Amended Articles of Incorporation, provided that the Company
  is not liable to indemnify any director or officer or to make any advances to
  the director or officer (i) as to which the Company is prohibited by applicable
  law from paying as an indemnity; (ii) with respect to expenses of defense or
  investigation, if such expenses were or are incurred without the Company&#146;s
  consent (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld); (iii) for which
  payment is actually made to the director or officer under a valid and
  collectible insurance policy maintained by the Company, except in respect of any
  excess beyond the amount of payment under such insurance; (iv) for which payment
  is actually made to the director or officer under an indemnity by the Company
  otherwise than pursuant to the Company&#146;s Bylaws, except in respect of any excess
  beyond the amount of payment under such indemnity; (v) based upon or
  attributable to the director or officer gaining in fact any personal profit or
  advantage to which he or she was not legally entitled; (vi) for an accounting of
  profits made from the purchase or sale by the director or officer of securities
  of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities
  Exchange Act of 1934 and amendments thereto or similar provisions of any
  federal, state or local statutory law; or (vii) based upon acts or omissions
  involving intentional misconduct or a knowing and culpable violation of law.
  Indemnification covers all expenses, liabilities and losses including attorneys&#146;
  fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in
  settlement.</FONT></P>
  <P align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>The
  Company has purchased directors and officers insurance policies to provide
  protection against certain liabilities of the directors and officers. The
  Company has also entered into written agreements with each of its directors and
  officers incorporating the indemnification provisions of its Bylaws.</FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Item 7. Exemption from Registration
  Claimed</FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2></FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>Not applicable.</FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Item 8. Exhibits</FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2></FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>See the attached Exhibit Index,
  which is incorporated herein by reference.</FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT size=2>II-2</FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face=serif><FONT face=serif size=2>Item 9.
  Undertakings</FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><FONT face=serif><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>(a) The undersigned Registrant
  hereby undertakes:</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P style="PADDING-LEFT: 15pt" align=justify><FONT face=serif><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>(1) To file, during any period in
  which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
  Registration Statement:</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P style="PADDING-LEFT: 45pt" align=justify><FONT face=serif><FONT face=serif size=2>(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
  Securities Act;</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P style="PADDING-LEFT: 45pt" align=justify><FONT face=serif><FONT face=serif size=2>(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
  effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
  amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
  fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration
  Statement;</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P style="PADDING-LEFT: 45pt" align=justify><FONT face=serif><FONT face=serif size=2>(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
  distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any
  material change to such information in this Registration
  Statement;</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P style="PADDING-LEFT: 15pt" align=justify><FONT face=serif><FONT face=serif size=2><EM>provided, however, </EM><FONT face=serif>that paragraphs (a)(1)(i)
  and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8, and
  the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
  paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by
  the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are
  incorporated by reference in this Registration
  Statement.</FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P style="PADDING-LEFT: 15pt" align=justify><FONT face=serif><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>(2) That, for the
  purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such
  post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
  relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
  at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I><FONT face=serif>bona
  fide</FONT></I> offering thereof.</FONT></FONT><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P style="PADDING-LEFT: 15pt" align=justify><FONT face=serif><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>(3) To remove from
  registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being
  registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
  offering.</FONT></FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The
  undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
  liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual
  report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where
  applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to
  Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this
  Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
  relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
  at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I><FONT face=serif>bona
  fide</FONT></I> offering thereof.</FONT><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h)
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may
  be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
  pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6 above, or otherwise, the
  Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
  indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
  is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
  against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
  incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant
  in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
  director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
  registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
  has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
  jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
  policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
  adjudication of such issue.</FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT size=2>II-3</FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>SIGNATURES</FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant
  certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
  requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Form S-8
  Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
  duly authorized, in the City of San Dimas, State of California, on November 14,
  2008.</FONT></FONT><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <DIV align=right>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="50%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=left width="99%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>American States Water Company,</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=left width="99%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>a
        California corporation</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=left width="1%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="98%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/ Floyd E. Wicks</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=left width="1%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align=left width="98%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Floyd E.
        Wicks</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=left width="1%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align=left width="98%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>President and
        Chief Executive Officer</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV><BR>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>POWER OF
  ATTORNEY</FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints
  Robert J. Sprowls and Eva G. Tang, and each of them, acting individually and
  without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
  with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or
  her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
  amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other
  documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file
  the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
  therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents,
  and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
  and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully
  to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby
  ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either
  of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do
  or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</FONT></FONT><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <P align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2><FONT face=serif>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
  Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
  on the dates indicated.</FONT></FONT><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Signature</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
      <TD align=center width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=center width="4%"><FONT size=2><U><FONT face=serif>Title</FONT></U></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=center width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Date</FONT></FONT></U></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=5><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/ Floyd E.
        Wicks</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="4%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Director,
        President and Chief</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=center width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>November 14,
        2008</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Floyd E.
        Wicks</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="4%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Executive
        Officer</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD align=center width="33%"></TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="4%"><FONT size=2>(Principal Executive
      Officer)</FONT></TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="33%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=5>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/ Eva G.
        Tang</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="4%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Senior Vice
        President-Finance,</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=center width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>November 14,
        2008</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Eva G.
        Tang</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="4%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Chief Financial
        Officer,</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="4%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Corporate
        Secretary and</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" >&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="4%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Treasurer</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="4%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>(Principal
        Financial and</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" >&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="4%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Accounting
        Officer)</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="15%" ></TD>
      <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P align=center><FONT size=2>II-4</FONT>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE><BR>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Signature</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Title</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Date</FONT></FONT></U></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/ Lloyd E.
        Ross</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Chairman of the
        Board and</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>November 14,
        2008</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Lloyd E.
        Ross</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Director</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/ James L.
        Anderson</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Director</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>November 14,
        2008</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>James L.
        Anderson</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/ Diana M.
        Bont&#225;</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Director</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>November 14,
        2008</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Diana M.
        Bont&#225;</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/ N.P.
        Dodge, Jr.</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Director</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>November 14,
        2008</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>N. P. Dodge,
        Jr<I>.</I></FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/ Anne M.
        Holloway</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Director</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>November 14,
        2008</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Anne M.
        Holloway</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/ Robert
        F. Kathol</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Director</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>November 14,
        2008</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Robert F.
        Kathol</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><U><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>/s/ Gary F.
        King</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Director</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>November 14,
        2008</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=center width="34%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Gary F.
        King</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align=center width="33%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P align=center><FONT size=2>II-5</FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>EXHIBIT
  INDEX</FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=serif></FONT></P>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD align=left width="1%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Exhibit</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD align=left width="1%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="1%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Number</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD align=left width="1%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align=center width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="2%"><FONT size=2>Description of Exhibit</FONT></TD>
      <TD align=center width="48%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>4.1</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><p align=justify><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>American States Water Company 2008 Stock Incentive Plan. (Filed as
        Attachment I to the Company&#146;s Proxy Statement filed with the Commission
        pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act on April 4, 2008 (Commission
        File No. 001-14431) and incorporated herein by this
        reference.)</FONT></FONT></p></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>5.</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Opinion of O&#146;Melveny &amp; Myers LLP (opinion re
        legality).</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>23.01</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>23.02</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>23.03</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit
    5).</FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>24.</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%"><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><p align=justify><FONT face=serif><FONT size=2>Power of Attorney (included in this Registration Statement under
        &#147;Signatures&#148;).</FONT></FONT></p>&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  
  </BODY>
  
  </HTML>
metadata_documents: [{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "americanstates_s-8.htm", "description": "SECURITIES TO BE OFFERED TO EMPLOYEES PURSUANT TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLANS", "secsgml_size_bytes": 43153}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "AMERICAN STATES WATER CO", "cik": "0001056903", "assigned-sic": "4941", "irs-number": "954676679", "state-of-incorporation": "CA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-155376", "film-number": "081190502"}, "business-address": {"street1": "630 E FOOTHILL BLVD", "city": "SAN DIMAS", "state": "CA", "zip": "91773-9016", "phone": "9093943600"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "630 E FOOTHILL", "city": "SAN DIMAS", "state": "CA", "zip": "91773-9016"}}
text: As filed with
        the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2008
  Registration
        No.333-_________
  __
  UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  ___________________
  FORM S-8
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  UNDER
  THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  ___________________
  American States Water Company
  (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its
  Charter)
  ___________________
  California
  95-4676679
  (State or
        Other Jurisdiction of
  (I.R.S.
        Employer
  Incorporation
        or Organization)
  Identification
        No.)
  630 East Foothill Boulevard
  San
  Dimas, CA 91773
  (909) 394-3600
  (Address, Including Zip Code, of
  Principal Executive Offices)
  ___________________
  American States Water Company
  2008 Stock Incentive Plan
  (Full Title of the Plan)
  ___________________
  Robert
  J. Sprowls
  Executive Vice President
  American States Water Company
  630 East Foothill Boulevard
  San Dimas, CA 91773
  (909)
  394-3600
  (Name, Address and Telephone
  Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
  COPY TO:
  C.
  James Levin
  ,
  Esq
  .
  O'Melveny & Myers LLP
  400
  South Hope Street
  Los Angeles, CA 90071
  ___________________
  Indicate by check mark whether the
  registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated
  filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated
  filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of
  the Exchange Act. (Check one):
  Large
        accelerated filer
  c
  Accelerated
        filer
  þ
  Non-accelerated
        filer
  c
  Smaller
        reporting company
  c
  CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
  Proposed
  Proposed
  Maximum
  Maximum
  Title of
  Amount
  Offering
  Aggregate
  Amount Of
  Securities
  To be
  Price
  Offering
  Registration
  To Be Registered
  Registered
  Per
        Share
  Price
  Fee
  Common
        Shares,
  No par value
  1,230,000
  (1)
  shares
  $33.425
  (2)
  $41,112,750
  (2)
  $1,615.73
  (2)
  (1)
  This Registration Statement
        covers, in addition to the number of shares of American States Water
        Company, a California corporation (the "Company" or the "Registrant"),
        common shares, no par value (the "Common Stock"), stated above, options
        and other rights to purchase or acquire the shares of Common Stock covered
        by this Registration Statement and, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the
        Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), an additional
        indeterminate number of shares, options and rights that may be offered or
        issued pursuant to the American States Water Company 2008 Stock Incentive
        Plan (the "Plan") as a result of one or more adjustments under the Plan to
        prevent dilution resulting from one or more stock splits, stock dividends
        or similar transactions.
  (2)
  Pursuant to Securities Act Rule
        457(h), the maximum offering price, per share and in the aggregate, and
        the registration fee were calculated based upon the average of the high
        and low prices of the Common Stock on November 10, 2008, as quoted on the
        New York Stock Exchange composite tape and published on
        www.online.wsj.com.
  The Exhibit Index for this
        Registration Statement is at page II-2.
  PART
  I
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
  THE
  SECTION 10(a)
  PROSPECTUS
  The
  document(s) containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be
  sent or given to participants as specified by Securities Act Rule
  428(b)(1).
  PART II
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  Item 3. Incorporation of Certain
  Documents by Reference
  The
  following documents of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange
  Commission (the "Commission") are incorporated herein by reference:
  (a)
  The Company's Annual Report on
        Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the
        Commission on March 14, 2008 (Commission File No.
    001-14431);
  (b)
  The Company's Quarterly Reports
        on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2008, June 30, 2008,
        and September 30, 2008 filed with the Commission on May 9, 2008 August 8,
        2008 and November 7, 2008, respectively. (Commission File No.
        001-14431);
  (c)
  The Company's Current Reports on
        Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on January 4, 2008, January 31, 2008,
        March 31, 2008, May 2, 2008, May 23, 2008, August 4, 2008, August 26,
        2008, August 28, 2008, September 22, 2008, November 4, 2008 and November
        5, 2008. (Commission File No. 001-14431); and
  (d)
  The description of the Company's
        Common Stock contained in its Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed
        with the Commission on August 20, 1998 (Commission File No. 001-14431),
        and any other amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
        description.
  All
  documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
  14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
  Act"), prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that
  all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities
  then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
  Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
  documents; provided, however, that documents or information deemed to have been
  furnished and not filed in accordance with Commission rules shall not be deemed
  incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement. Any statement
  contained herein or in a document, all or a portion of which is incorporated or
  deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or
  superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a
  statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which
  also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
  supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
  not be deemed, except as so modified or amended, to constitute a part of this
  Registration Statement.
  Item 4. Description of
  Securities
  Not applicable.
  Item 5. Interests of Named Experts
  and Counsel
  Not applicable.
  II-1
  Item 6. Indemnification of Directors
  and Officers
  Section
  317 of the California Corporations Code provides that a corporation has the
  power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made
  a party to any proceeding or action by reason of the fact that he or she is or
  was a director, officer, employee or other agent of the corporation or is or was
  serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or
  agent of another corporation or other enterprise. Section 317 also grants
  authority to a corporation to include in its articles of incorporation
  indemnification provisions in excess of that permitted in Section 317, subject
  to certain limitations.
  Article V
  of the Company's Amended Articles of Incorporation authorizes the Company to
  provide indemnification of directors, officers, employees and other agents
  through bylaw provisions, agreements with agents, votes of shareholders or
  disinterested directors, or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification
  otherwise permitted by Section 317, subject only to the limitations set forth in
  Section 204 of the California Corporations Code.
  Article
  VI of the Company's Bylaws contains provisions implementing the authority
  granted in Article V of the Company's Amended Articles of Incorporation. The
  Bylaws provide for the indemnification of any director or officer of the
  Company, or any person acting at the request of the Company as a director,
  officer, employee or agent of another corporation or other enterprise, including
  a Company-sponsored employee benefit plan, for any threatened, pending or
  completed action or proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by California law
  and the Company's Amended Articles of Incorporation, provided that the Company
  is not liable to indemnify any director or officer or to make any advances to
  the director or officer (i) as to which the Company is prohibited by applicable
  law from paying as an indemnity; (ii) with respect to expenses of defense or
  investigation, if such expenses were or are incurred without the Company's
  consent (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld); (iii) for which
  payment is actually made to the director or officer under a valid and
  collectible insurance policy maintained by the Company, except in respect of any
  excess beyond the amount of payment under such insurance; (iv) for which payment
  is actually made to the director or officer under an indemnity by the Company
  otherwise than pursuant to the Company's Bylaws, except in respect of any excess
  beyond the amount of payment under such indemnity; (v) based upon or
  attributable to the director or officer gaining in fact any personal profit or
  advantage to which he or she was not legally entitled; (vi) for an accounting of
  profits made from the purchase or sale by the director or officer of securities
  of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities
  Exchange Act of 1934 and amendments thereto or similar provisions of any
  federal, state or local statutory law; or (vii) based upon acts or omissions
  involving intentional misconduct or a knowing and culpable violation of law.
  Indemnification covers all expenses, liabilities and losses including attorneys'
  fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in
  settlement.
  The
  Company has purchased directors and officers insurance policies to provide
  protection against certain liabilities of the directors and officers. The
  Company has also entered into written agreements with each of its directors and
  officers incorporating the indemnification provisions of its Bylaws.
  Item 7. Exemption from Registration
  Claimed
  Not applicable.
  Item 8. Exhibits
  See the attached Exhibit Index,
  which is incorporated herein by reference.
  II-2
  Item 9.
  Undertakings
  (a) The undersigned Registrant
  hereby undertakes:
  (1) To file, during any period in
  which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
  Registration Statement:
  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
  Securities Act;
  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
  effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
  amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
  fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration
  Statement;
  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
  distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any
  material change to such information in this Registration
  Statement;
  provided, however,
  that paragraphs (a)(1)(i)
  and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8, and
  the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
  paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by
  the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are
  incorporated by reference in this Registration
  Statement.
  (2) That, for the
  purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such
  post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
  relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
  at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
  bona
  fide
  offering thereof.
  (3) To remove from
  registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being
  registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
  offering.
  (b) The
  undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
  liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual
  report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where
  applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
  Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this
  Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
  relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
  at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
  bona
  fide
  offering thereof.
  (h)
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may
  be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
  pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6 above, or otherwise, the
  Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
  indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
  is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
  against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
  incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant
  in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
  director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
  registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
  has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
  jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
  policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
  adjudication of such issue.
  II-3
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant
  certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
  requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Form S-8
  Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
  duly authorized, in the City of San Dimas, State of California, on November 14,
  2008.
  American States Water Company,
  a
        California corporation
  By:
  /s/ Floyd E. Wicks
  Floyd E.
        Wicks
  President and
        Chief Executive Officer
  POWER OF
  ATTORNEY
  Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints
  Robert J. Sprowls and Eva G. Tang, and each of them, acting individually and
  without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
  with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or
  her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
  amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other
  documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file
  the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
  therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents,
  and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
  and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully
  to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby
  ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either
  of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do
  or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
  Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
  on the dates indicated.
  Signature
  Title
  Date
  /s/ Floyd E.
        Wicks
  Director,
        President and Chief
  November 14,
        2008
  Floyd E.
        Wicks
  Executive
        Officer
  (Principal Executive
      Officer)
  /s/ Eva G.
        Tang
  Senior Vice
        President-Finance,
  November 14,
        2008
  Eva G.
        Tang
  Chief Financial
        Officer,
  Corporate
        Secretary and
  Treasurer
  (Principal
        Financial and
  Accounting
        Officer)
  II-4
  Signature
  Title
  Date
  /s/ Lloyd E.
        Ross
  Chairman of the
        Board and
  November 14,
        2008
  Lloyd E.
        Ross
  Director
  /s/ James L.
        Anderson
  Director
  November 14,
        2008
  James L.
        Anderson
  /s/ Diana M.
        Bontá
  Director
  November 14,
        2008
  Diana M.
        Bontá
  /s/ N.P.
        Dodge, Jr.
  Director
  November 14,
        2008
  N. P. Dodge,
        Jr
  .
  /s/ Anne M.
        Holloway
  Director
  November 14,
        2008
  Anne M.
        Holloway
  /s/ Robert
        F. Kathol
  Director
  November 14,
        2008
  Robert F.
        Kathol
  /s/ Gary F.
        King
  Director
  November 14,
        2008
  Gary F.
        King
  II-5
  EXHIBIT
  INDEX
  Exhibit
  Number
  Description of Exhibit
  4.1
  American States Water Company 2008 Stock Incentive Plan. (Filed as
        Attachment I to the Company's Proxy Statement filed with the Commission
        pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act on April 4, 2008 (Commission
        File No. 001-14431) and incorporated herein by this
        reference.)
  5.
  Opinion of O'Melveny & Myers LLP (opinion re
        legality).
  23.01
  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
  23.02
  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
  23.03
  Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit
    5).
  24.
  Power of Attorney (included in this Registration Statement under
        "Signatures").