(a) TamperingAny 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) Attempt or threatAny 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) Civil penaltyThe 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) “Tamper” definedFor purposes of this section, the term “tamper” means—(1) to introduce a contaminant into a public water system with the intention of harming persons; or
(2) to otherwise interfere with the operation of a public water system with the intention of harming persons.
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XIV, § 1432, as added Pub. L. 99–339, title I, § 108, June 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 651; amended Pub. L. 104–182, title V, § 501(f)(5), Aug. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 1692; Pub. L. 107–188, title IV, § 403(3), June 12, 2002, 116 Stat. 687.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments2002—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.