EXHIBIT 23

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-39482, 333-108095), on Form S-8POS (No.
333-47647) and on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-68299, 333-88979) of American States Water
Company of our report dated March 17, 2004 relating to the financial statements
and financial statement schedules, which appear in this Form 10-K. We also
consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (No. 333-73378) of Southern California Water Company of our report dated
March 17, 2004 relating to the financial statements, which appears in this Form
10-K.



PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Los Angeles, California
March 23, 2004