<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

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    <periodOfReport>2026-05-19</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001056903</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERICAN STATES WATER CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AWR</issuerTradingSymbol>
        <issuerForeignTradingSymbol></issuerForeignTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

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        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001388959</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BONTA DIANA M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerNonUSAddressFlag>false</rptOwnerNonUSAddressFlag>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>630 E FOOTHILL BLVD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN DIMAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>917673</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>true</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <aff10b5One>false</aff10b5One>

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            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
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            </transactionDate>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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            <transactionDate>
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                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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                <transactionShares>
                    <value>23.4576</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
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            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2026-05-18</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>75.92</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>16606.302</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2026-05-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>526.8704</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>75.92</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>17133.1724</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Der units credited on 08/15/2025 at FMV</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Der units credited on 09/03/2025 at FMV</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Der units credited on 11/14/2025 at FMV</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Adjustment due to partial shares</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Der units credited on 02/23/2026 at FMV</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Der units credited on 05/18/2026 at FMV</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Diana M. Bonta</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2026-05-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
