(A) It is unlawful for any person to wilfully injure or destroy, or in any manner hurt, damage, tamper with, or impair the facilities of the authority, or any part of the same, or any machinery, apparatus, or equipment of the authority, or to pollute the water in any part of its service area, or to obtain water illegally from facilities of the authority, or to turn, raise, remove, or in any manner tamper with any cover of any manhole, filter, bed, or other appurtenance of any sewer except in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the authority. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars, or shall be imprisoned for not more than thirty days at the discretion of the court, and shall be further liable to pay all damages suffered by the authority.

(B) Any person violating any regulation or any permit, permit condition, or final determination as required by state or federal law is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand dollars for each day of violation.

(C) All penalties assessed under this section must be held as debt and payable to the authority by the person against whom they have been charged and shall constitute a lien against the property of the person.

(D) The authority is empowered to conduct vulnerability assessments, prepare emergency response plans, and address threats from terrorist attacks, or other intentional actions designed to disrupt the provision of safe drinking water or significantly affect the public health or significantly affect the safety or supply of drinking water.

HISTORY: 2009 Act No. 55, Section 1, eff June 2, 2009.