Leachate is liquid generated from rainfall and the natural decomposition of waste that is filtered through the landfill to a leachate collection system. The leachate collection system's job is to direct the leachate to collection points so it can be properly removed from the landfill.

The Tontitown Landfill has a primary leachate collection system over the primary liner system and, as required by ADEQ, also has a liquid detection system over the secondary liner system that serves as another environmental safeguard. Both of these collection systems are designed with a minimum two percent (2%) slope to drain to collection sumps. Each system's collection sump consists of HDPE risers and horizontal submersible pumps, installed in the risers. The primary sump is offset from the secondary sump. One primary collection sump and one secondary collection sump are used in each disposal area.