§ 300i–1 - Tampering with public water systems

CHAPTER 6A— PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › SUBCHAPTER XII— SAFETY OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS

(a) Any person who tampers with a public water system shall be imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or fined in accordance with title 18, or both.

(b) Any person who attempts to tamper, or makes a threat to tamper, with a public drinking water system be imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or fined in accordance with title 18, or both.

(c) The Administrator may bring a civil action in the appropriate United States district court (as determined under the provisions of title 28) against any person who tampers, attempts to tamper, or makes a threat to tamper with a public water system. The court may impose on such person a civil penalty of not more than $1,000,000 for such tampering or not more than $100,000 for such attempt or threat.

(d) For purposes of this section, the term “tamper” means—

(d)(1) to introduce a contaminant into a public water system with the intention of harming persons; or

(d)(2) to otherwise interfere with the operation of a public water system with the intention of harming persons.

Notes

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2002—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–188, § 403(3)(A), substituted “20 years” for “5 years”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–188, § 403(3)(B), substituted “10 years” for “3 years”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–188, § 403(3)(C), (D), substituted “$1,000,000” for “$50,000” and “$100,000” for “$20,000”.

1996—Pub. L. 104–182 made technical amendment to section catchline and subsec. (a) designation.