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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 yQDr2MttOZyUhsI4MZun9A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000108985-06-000041.txt : 20060417
<SEC-HEADER>0000108985-06-000041.hdr.sgml : 20060417
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060417145543
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000108985-06-000041
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060414
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060417
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060417

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			YORK WATER CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000108985
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WATER SUPPLY [4941]
		IRS NUMBER:				231242500
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		130 E MARKET ST
		CITY:			YORK
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17405
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7178453601

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 15089

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GANG MICHAEL W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001247900

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-00690
		FILM NUMBER:		06762083

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		130 EAST MARKET ST.
		CITY:			YORK
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17405
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-04-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000108985</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>YORK WATER CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>yorw</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001247900</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GANG MICHAEL W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-04-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>30.806</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>26.979</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4730.546</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Bonnie J. Rexroth, Assistant Secretary by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-04-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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