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Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§300i–1 Tampering with public water systems

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 6A— - PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER XII— - SAFETY OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS › Part Part D— - Emergency Powers › § 300i–1

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Tampering with a public water system is a crime. A person who does so can get up to 20 years in prison, a fine under title 18, or both. Trying to tamper or threatening to do so can lead to up to 10 years in prison, a fine under title 18, or both. The Administrator can sue in federal court and seek a civil penalty up to $1,000,000 for actual tampering or up to $100,000 for an attempt or threat. "Tamper" means either putting a harmful contaminant into the water system or otherwise interfering with how the system works, with the intent to harm people.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §300i–1

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(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—
(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.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

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.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 300i–1

Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73