Water utility American States Water (AWR) will raise its quarterly dividend by 5.2 percent to $0.213 per share in 2014.

Dividends on the common shares will be payable on September 2, 2014 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 15, 2014. The utility company has paid a dividend since 1931 and increased its payout annually since 1954.

American States Water Company is the parent of Golden State Water Company and American States Utility Services, Inc. Through its utility subsidiary, Golden State Water Company, AWR provides water service to customers located throughout 10 counties in Northern, Coastal and Southern California. The company also distributes electricity to customers in the City of Big Bear and surrounding areas in San Bernardino County, California. Through its contracted services subsidiary, American States Utility Services, Inc., the company provides operations, maintenance and construction management services for water and wastewater systems located on military bases throughout the country under 50-year privatization contracts with the U.S. government.