Vice President Kamala Harris also reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to defend the Philippines a day after an incident between China and the Filipino navy.

The growing lawsuit is at the beginning stages of what appears to be a long legal battle.

Impacted families are asking the Navy for help with their medical care.

The next step is to repair equipment so the rest of the fuel can be safely drained from storage tanks in preparation for closing the facility.

It’s the first time the Navy has announced a date for the permanent closure of the facility at the center of last year’s massive fuel contamination crisis.

Members of a joint task force said the defueling process will begin Tuesday after a more than weeklong delay due to water main breaks on the Navy’s system.

No illnesses have been reported, according to the Department of Education.

The Navy will need to test the water for bacteria. Once the tests are negative, the boil water advisory will be lifted.

Officials advised people to boil water used for drinking and cooking as a precaution to prevent bacteria after four water main breaks occurred.

Officials say the regularly scheduled annual military maneuvers weren’t directed against any country. But they come amid growing tensions between the U.S. and China.