A Brighton man will serve two years’ probation for falsifying water safety records for private water systems at several Michigan mobile home parks.
Brian Powell, 57, was charged with six counts of forgery and seven violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act in April 2026, after he reportedly falsified water safety tests while acting as president of Michigan water services provider, Douglas Environmental.
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In Michigan, private water service providers are required to submit regular water testing to the state’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). If contaminant levels in the water exceed the state’s established safety standards, service providers are required to notify the agency of that fact immediately.
The investigation into Powell and Douglas Environmental began after an EGLE administrative review of the data submitted by Powell highlighted multiple discrepancies, leading the attorney general to pursue charges.
Further review led investigators to discover that water safety tests were falsified on six separate occasions in 2023 at the Moon Lake Mobile Home Park in Shiawassee County; Thornapple Lake Estates in Barry County; and Fenton Harbor Condominiums in Genesee County. Additionally between 2020 and 2023, Powell allegedly failed to report water tests that exceeded maximum contaminant levels 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; Vicinia Gardens in Genesee County; and Western Pines of Genesee County.
Even though Powell was solely responsible for reporting the company’s test results to EGLE, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel asserted that both the company and its president shared liability in the misrepresentation of data.
Douglas Environmental pleaded no contest in June 2026 to one count of conducting a criminal enterprise and six counts of forgery, and was required to pay a $50,000 fine. Powell pleaded guilty to three counts of forgery, resulting in his sentence of two years’ probation. The other charges were dismissed.
“Ensuring the safety of Michigan’s drinking water depends on accurate reporting, and when that trust is broken, it puts public health at-risk,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos in a statement after the plea. “This resolution underscores that falsifying water-quality data carries real consequences. Michiganders deserve complete confidence in the safety of their drinking water.”
Nessel’s office says no residents at the mobile home parks were harmed as part of the scheme, according to EGLE testing.
“While thankfully residents were not harmed in this particular instance, EGLE relies on accurate data to identify problems before they become threats to communities,” Nessel said. “My office will continue working with them to protect Michiganders and hold accountable those whose actions could compromise our water.”