Douglas Environmental and Brian Powell Charged with Falsifying Water Tests
Summary
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced criminal charges against Douglas Environmental and its president Brian Powell for allegedly falsifying water safety and discharge tests for private water systems serving mobile home communities statewide. The company faces one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise (20-year felony) and six counts of Forgery (14-year felonies). Powell faces six Forgery counts and seven Safe Drinking Water Violations (1-year misdemeanors with $5,000 daily fines).
What changed
Douglas Environmental and president Brian Powell were arraigned on March 30, 2026, in the 53rd District Court in Howell on charges of falsifying water test results on at least six occasions in 2023 at Moon Lake Mobile Home Park, Thornapple Lake Estates, and Fenton Harbor Condominiums. Powell is also accused of failing to report water tests exceeding maximum contaminant levels between 2020 and 2023 at multiple additional mobile home communities. The investigation by DNR Law Enforcement Division and the Environmental Crime Unit followed an EGLE administrative review that identified data discrepancies between reported results and those received from the company.
Water service providers in Michigan must immediately notify EGLE when contaminant levels exceed statutory maximums. Providers must ensure all personnel responsible for reporting are aware that falsification carries severe criminal penalties. The next court appearance is scheduled for May 5, 2026, before Judge Daniel Bain in the 55th District Court. Entities operating private water systems should review their testing and reporting protocols to ensure compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
What to do next
- Review water testing and reporting protocols for compliance with EGLE requirements
- Ensure all personnel responsible for EGLE reporting understand criminal liability for falsification
- Implement verification procedures to confirm accuracy of reported test results before submission
Penalties
Douglas Environmental: one count Conducting a Criminal Enterprise (20-year felony), six counts Forgery (14-year felonies). Powell: six counts Forgery (14-year felonies), seven counts Safe Drinking Water Violations (1-year misdemeanors, $5,000 fine per day of violation).
Source document (simplified)
Private Mobile Home Water Services Provider, President Charged with Falsifying Water Safety, Discharge Tests
April 01, 2026
LANSING – Douglas Environmental and its president, Brian Powell, 57, of Brighton, were arraigned on March 30 in the 53 rd District Court in Howell for allegedly falsifying water safety and water discharge tests for private water systems serving mobile home communities across the state, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Douglas Environmental has been charged with one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony, and six counts of Forgery, each a 14-year felony. Powell has been charged with six counts of Forgery and seven counts of Safe Drinking Water Violations, each a 1-year misdemeanor punishable by a $5,000 fine per day of violation.
Douglas Environmental provided private water services to mo bile home communities throughout Michigan. Private water service providers are required to submit regular water testing to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). If contaminant levels exceed maximum contaminant levels set by statute and administrative rule, providers are required to immediately notify EGLE. Powell was allegedly solely responsible for reporting Douglas Environmental test results to EGLE.
On at least six occasions in 2023, Douglas Environmental by and through Powell allegedly falsified water test results in water systems servin g Moon Lake Mobile Home Park in Shiawassee County, Thornapple Lake Estates in Barry County, and Fenton Harbor Condominiums in Genesee County. Powell is further accused of failing to report water tests that exceeded maximum contaminant levels between 2020 and 2023 at Hickory Hills Mobile Homes in Calhoun County, Green Brook Estates in Livingston County, North Bay Mobile Home Park in Genesee County, Fenton Harbor in Genesee County, Victory Gardens in Genesee County, and Western Pines in Kalamazoo County.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division and the Environmental Crime Unit following an EGLE administrative review that found alleged data discrepancies between what was reported and what they had received from Douglas Environmental. B ased on testing by EGLE, the public was not harmed in this alleged scheme.
“Safe drinking water relies on honest testing,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Falsifying reports jeopardizes the well-being of residents, and I am grateful for EGLE’s and DNR’s work to uncover and investigate these extremely troubling allegations. My office will continue to prosecute those who put Michiganders’ health at risk.”
“Ensuring the safety of Michigan’s drinking water is fundamental to protecting public health, and that starts with accurate, reliable data,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. “It’s deeply disappointing when individuals choose to falsify test results, they undermine the trust that communities place in the systems designed to safeguard them. Michigan residents deserve complete confidence that the water they rely on is safe.”
Powell will next appear in the 55th District Court on May 5 before Judge Daniel B. Bain.
Please note: For all criminal proceedings, a criminal charge is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.
MI Newswire Attorney General Press Release Environment Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer
Press Secretary
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