Smith Mountain Lake was designated a No Discharge Zone in October 2000. A No Discharge Zone is an area of a waterbody, or any entire waterbody, into which the discharge of sewage (both treated or untreated) from all vessels is completely prohibited. To assist in ensuring the No Discharge Zone ordinance is honored on Smith Mountain Lake, the Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission collaborates with the Smith Mountain Lake Association and the Virginia Department of Health to provide the seasonal Vessel Pump Out Program. For more information regarding Virginia’s “No Discharge Zones”, please visit the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.