Exhibit 99


                          AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
                           630 EAST FOOTHILL BOULEVARD
                           SAN DIMAS, CALIFORNIA 91773
                 TELEPHONE: 909-394-3600 FACSIMILE: 909-394-1382
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


May 9, 2002

United States Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

Gentlemen/Ladies:

Pursuant to Temporary Note 3T to Article 3 of Regulation S-X, American States
Water Company (the "Company") has obtained a letter of representation from
Arthur Andersen LLP, the Company's independent public accountants, stating that
their review of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its
subsidiaries included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
period ended March 31, 2002 was subject to Arthur Andersen's quality control
system for the U.S. accounting and auditing practice to provide reasonable
assurance that the engagement was conducted in compliance with professional
standards; and that there was appropriate continuity of Arthur Andersen
personnel working on the review and availability of national office consultation
to conduct the relevant portion of the review. Availability of personnel at
foreign affiliates of Arthur Andersen is not applicable to this review.

Sincerely,

/s/:  McClellan Harris III
--------------------------

McClellan Harris III
Chief Financial Officer, Vice President - Finance,
Treasurer and Corporate Secretary