Christina Jones, DeKalb County Board of Health President, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Bill Nicklas and Kevin Bunge for their significant contributions to the Fairdale Community Septic System, at the Board of Health meeting on January 26, 2016.
Nicklas, the President of the Long-term Recovery Corporation (LTRC) in 2015, and Bunge, LTRC member and DeKalb County Board District 1 Representative, shared the work that went into planning and building the system that became operational on December 18, 2015.
Rebuilding Fairdale after the destruction caused by the EF 4 tornado on April 9, 2015, included addressing septic systems. Prior to the tornado, homeowners had individual systems for each property. The community septic system resolved a public health dilemma posed by properties in close proximity that, in many cases, did not allow for the proper amount of distance between septic systems and wells on a property. Distance is needed to prevent contamination of drinking water.
Mr. Nicklas provided leadership, coordination and oversight. Mr. Bunge, a professional engineer, designed the system. Both recognized the coordinated efforts of Health Department and County staff, and additional volunteers that were instrumental in accomplishing the project in a relatively short timeframe. In addition, Mr. Nicklas explained that the LTRC raised funds, as the disaster did not meet federal criteria for financial assistance, and state and local resources were already exhausted. “The public health impact is that this will protect the groundwater and assure a functioning septic system well into the future” according to Jane Lux, Public Health Administrator. “This project of the LTRC made it possible to improve the community and benefit the residents,” she said.
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