§ 300i–1 — Tampering With 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— (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.