Home / States / New Mexico / Albuquerque

Grease Trap Requirements
Albuquerque, NM

FOG compliance regulations for food service establishments in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Serving 1,480 food service establishments.

Every 90 days minimum
Pumping Freq.
Required
Permit
Yes
25% Rule
UPC
Code Base

Pumping Requirements

Frequency Every 90 days minimum; must be pumped when grease and solids reach 25% of interceptor capacity
25% Rule Applies

Permits & Enforcement

Permit Required Required
Permit Fee No separate published annual FOG permit fee; industrial wastewater discharge permit and plumbing permits required
Max Fine $10,000 per violation per day under city sewer use ordinance

Complete FOG Regulations

Minimum Trap Size 750 gallons minimum for gravity grease interceptors; hydromechanical interceptors sized per UPC fixture unit tables (minimum 20 GPM)
Pumping Frequency Every 90 days minimum; must be pumped when grease and solids reach 25% of interceptor capacity
25% Rule Yes — trap must be pumped when grease and solids reach 25% of capacity
Permit Required Yes
Permit Fee No separate published annual FOG permit fee; industrial wastewater discharge permit and plumbing permits required
Maximum Fine $10,000 per violation per day under city sewer use ordinance
Inspections Annual inspections; ABCWUA may inspect more frequently based on compliance history
Record Keeping Required — maintain pumping logs and manifests on-site
Plumbing Code Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)
Ordinance Ref. Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority Sewer Use and Wastewater Control Ordinance; New Mexico Plumbing Code (based on UPC); ABCWUA Grease Removal System Requirements
Authority Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA)

Additional Notes

New Mexico follows UPC-based state plumbing code. ABCWUA administers the grease removal system requirements for all food service establishments in the Albuquerque metro area. FSEs must install and maintain properly sized grease interceptors. Automatic grease removal devices (AGRDs) may be approved as alternatives when they meet performance standards. Grease hauling manifests and maintenance logs must be maintained on-site. Contact: ABCWUA at (505) 842-WATR

Regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local wastewater authority or plumbing inspector before making compliance decisions. Last updated: March 2026.

Official Sources

Size Your Grease Trap for Albuquerque

Our free calculator uses UPC code requirements to recommend the right size.

Open Calculator