US Code

Public Law 119-102 (07/12/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 300i–1

Tampering with public water systems

Section text and notes

(a)

Tampering

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)

Attempt or threat

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)

Civil penalty

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)

“Tamper” defined

For 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 Pub. L. 99–339, title I, § 108100 Stat. 651 Pub. L. 104–182, title V, § 501(f)(5)110 Stat. 1692 Pub. L. 107–188, title IV, § 403(3)116 Stat. 687 (, title XIV, § 1432, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

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

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

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

Pub. L. 104–1821996— made technical amendment to section catchline and subsec. (a) designation.