Smith Mt. Lake Mandatory Septic Pump Out Program

Franklin and Bedford Counties have implemented mandatory septic pump programs to ensure that the lake remains clean. Both counties now require homeowners with a septic system located within 500 feet of the lake shoreline to pump their septic every five years.

Details of the Bedford County Pump Out Regulation

Bedford County requires all properties served by private sewage disposal systems with dwelling(s) within 500 feet of the full pond elevation of Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville Lake to be pumped out at least once every five years. The system must also be kept in good repair. Notification letters are sent each year to property owners who are subject to the pump-out requirement.



Once you have the septic system pumped out, homeowners need to apply for the “Mandatory Sewage Disposal System Pump-out” permit. To process your registration, the following will be needed:

• Proof of the private sewage disposal system pump-out that includes the date, location, and services rendered by a sewage handler who is certified by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
• A $20 registration fee

There are exceptions to this requirement if the property is served by a public sewer or a residential alternative onsite sewage disposal system serves the dwelling and is maintained according to VDH Regulations.

Details of the Franklin County Pump Out Regulation

The Franklin County regulation for pump out has been in place for many years and is unchanged. All on-site sewage treatment systems with a septic tank and/or drain field located within 500 feet of the 795-foot contour of Smith Mountain Lake must be pumped out at least once every five years.

The property owner must provide documentation demonstrating that the on-site sewage treatment system was successfully pumped out within the required five-year period by a sewage handler permitted and certified by the VDH.

Property owners are not required to have the on-site sewage treatment system pumped out if they provide documentation that the on-site sewage treatment system has been inspected within the required five-year period by a sewage handler permitted and certified by the VDH and that the solid waste material within the septic tank does not exceed one-third of the effluent height of the septic tank, and that the septic system is functioning properly.

SMLA Septic Education

SMLA provides septic education as part of our mission to keep SML clean and safe for everyone’s enjoyment. We also support a Vessel Pump Out Program in cooperation with VDH and the Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission. There is NO COST to boaters for the service.

July 17, 2025