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) March 21, 2012

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

California 001-14431 95-4676679

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

(Commission File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 
630 East Foothill Blvd.

San Dimas, California

 

91773

(Address of principal
executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation 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

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On March 21, 2012, the Board of Directors of American States Water Company increased the number of directors of the Company to eleven directors in accordance with the provisions of the Company’s Bylaws.  The Board elected Sarah J. Anderson as a Class I director of the Company in order to fill the newly created vacancy on the same date, and Diana M. Bontá became a Class II director in connection with the expansion of the Board.

There is no arrangement or understanding between Ms. Anderson and any other person pursuant to which she was appointed as a director of the Company.

Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Exhibit 99.1 Press Release dated March 26, 2012.

A copy of the Company’s press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.  


           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.

AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
Date: March 26, 2012 /s/ Eva G. Tang

Eva G. Tang

Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial
Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer