Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102
§300i–1 Tampering with Public Water Systems
Title 42 › CHAPTER 6A — PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › SUBCHAPTER XII — SAFETY OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS › Part D — Emergency Powers › § 300i–1
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
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102