The treatment of waste water involves the use of strong chemicals , many of which are toxic . Following the 2003 Canberra bushfires , in which the plant was damaged , two hazards were shown to exist regarding the water treatment facility , the first of which was the disastrous consequences of fire impacting such chemicals . It was revealed in testimony by fire officer Dannie Camilleri that had fire impacted and breached tanks storing chlorine at the centre ( as well as other chemicals ) , it would have caused a disastrous situation , releasing toxic gas and requiring large scale evacuations of the national capital
2003 Canberra bushfires
2003 Canberra bushfires
Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre