Michigan mobile home water provider accused of falsifying safety tests

Douglas Environmental and its president face charges for allegedly forging water test results

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:37pm

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The Michigan Attorney General's office has charged a water services provider and its president with falsifying water safety and discharge tests for private water systems serving several mobile home communities across the state. Douglas Environmental and its president, Brian Powell, are accused of forging test results and failing to report water quality issues between 2020 and 2023.

Why it matters

Providing safe drinking water is a critical responsibility, and falsifying test results undermines public trust and puts residents' health at risk. This case highlights the importance of transparent and accountable water quality monitoring, especially in vulnerable communities that rely on private water systems.

The details

According to authorities, Douglas Environmental provided private water systems for several mobile home communities in Michigan, including Moon Lake Mobile Home Park, Thornapple Lake Estates, Fenton Harbor Condominiums, Hickory Hills Mobile Homes, Green Brook Estates, North Bay Mobile Home Park, Fenton Harbor, Victory Gardens, and Western Pines. State prosecutors accuse the company of falsifying water test results at least six times in 2023 and failing to report water quality issues that exceeded maximum contaminant levels between 2020 and 2023.

  • The alleged falsification of water test results occurred between 2020 and 2023.
  • Brian Powell is scheduled to appear in court on May 5.

The players

Douglas Environmental

A water services provider that supplied private water systems for several mobile home communities in Michigan.

Brian Powell

The 57-year-old president of Douglas Environmental, who is charged with six counts of forgery and seven counts of safe drinking water violations.

Dana Nessel

The Michigan Attorney General who announced the charges against Douglas Environmental and Brian Powell.

Phil Roos

The director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), which discovered the data discrepancies that led to the investigation.

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What they’re saying

“Safe drinking water relies on honest testing. 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.”

— Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General

“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.”

— Phil Roos, EGLE Director

What’s next

Brian Powell is scheduled to appear in the 55th District Court on May 5 to face the charges.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical importance of water quality monitoring and the need for accountability in the provision of safe drinking water, especially in vulnerable communities that rely on private water systems. The alleged falsification of test results undermines public trust and puts residents' health at risk, underscoring the need for strict enforcement and prosecution of such offenses.