July 10, 2025
Local News

DeKalb County Board of Health honors community septic system efforts

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 Jan. 26.

Nicklas, president of the Long-term Recovery Corp. 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 Dec. 18. Rebuilding Fairdale after the destruction caused by the EF4 tornado on April 9, 2015, included addressing septic systems. Before 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.

Nicklas provided leadership, coordination and oversight. 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, 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.