American States Water (AWR) 10-Q 2012 Q2 Quarterly report

Exhibit 32.1

Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(18 U.S.C. Section 1350)

In connection with the Quarterly Report of American States Water Company and Golden State Water Company (the “Registrant”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Robert J. Sprowls, Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(1)   The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

/s/ ROBERT J. SPROWLS

Robert J. Sprowls

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: August 6, 2012