Update on the Royal Flush

The Smith Mountain Lake Association and the Virginia Department of Health have funded the Royal Flush vessel pump-out program for the past 11 years.

The Tri-County Lake Administrative Commission, a new partner in the program, reports that the program, in its 12th year, is underway. It offer s both land-based and on-the-water vessel pump-out services for sewage. Boaters are encouraged to schedule appointments for service.

Training the employees was held the week of June 10, and the Royal Flush and the two pump-out trucks have been in operation on Smith Mountain Lake for the past month.

According to Pam Dinkle, lake management and project coordinator for TLAC, to date, 75 boat sewage tanks have been pumped out (about 2,000 gallons of sewage) .

The pump-out program will continue to operate on Saturdays and Sundays through the Labor Day weekend.

Those interested in scheduling a pump-out on weekends should call 493-5874 Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dinkle said the Royal Flush program initially began as an effort to educate the public about the No Discharge Zone regulations at the lake, which prohibit any vessel from discharging treated or untreated sewage into the lake.

Many marinas around the lake also offer vessel pump-out services.

For more information, go to www.sml.us.com or call 721-4400.

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