Douglas Environmental and its president, Brian Powell, were arraigned on March 30 in the 53rd District Court in Howell for allegedly falsifying water safety and discharge tests for private water systems serving mobile home communities across Michigan, according to an April 1 announcement by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
The charges highlight concerns about the integrity of drinking water testing in communities that rely on private providers. Accurate reporting is critical to ensure public health and compliance with state regulations.
Douglas Environmental faces one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, which carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years, as well as six counts of Forgery, each punishable by up to 14 years. Powell is charged with six counts of Forgery and seven counts of Safe Drinking Water Violations, misdemeanors that can result in fines up to $5,000 per day per violation.
According to the Attorney General’s office, Douglas Environmental was responsible for submitting regular water quality reports to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). On at least six occasions in 2023, Powell allegedly submitted false test results for systems serving Moon Lake Mobile Home Park in Shiawassee County, Thornapple Lake Estates in Barry County, and Fenton Harbor Condominiums in Genesee County. He is also accused of failing to report contaminant levels above legal limits between 2020 and 2023 at several other mobile home parks across Calhoun, Livingston, Genesee, and Kalamazoo counties.
The investigation was led by the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division and EGLE’s Environmental Crime Unit after an administrative review uncovered discrepancies between reported data and what EGLE received from Douglas Environmental. The state agency confirmed that based on its own testing “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… My office will continue to prosecute those who put Michiganders’ health at risk.” EGLE Director Phil Roos said: “Ensuring the safety of Michigan’s drinking water is fundamental… 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’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 5 before Judge Daniel B. Bain at the 55th District Court.
A criminal charge remains an allegation until proven otherwise; defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty.
