EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Forms S-8 (Nos. 333-39482, 333-108095, and 333-119141), on Form S-8POS (No. 333-47647) and on Forms S-3 (Nos. 333-68299 and 333-88979) of American States Water Company of our report dated March 15, 2005 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule, management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Los Angeles, California
March 16, 2005