Last week, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder asked the state National Guard to send 30 guardsman to Flint, Mich. to help pass out water bottles. Since then, an additional 40 guardsman have reported for duty in Flint to join the water distribution effort, bringing the total to 70.

The water crisis in Flint has gotten national attention since Snyder declared a state of emergency. The city’s decision to tap water from Flint River in 2014 led to a gradual erosion of damaged, lead-lined pipes. The lead leaching has since gotten so bad that the water being pumped to household taps is brown.

The situation escalated when local children were found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood streams. Children who ingest too much lead are at risk for attention disorders and learning disabilities. It will cost million of dollars to fix the city water system, and until the water runs clear, thousands of families will be without a source of hydration.

This is where the National Guard comes in. Guardsman are traveling door to door with cases of water bottles, lead testing kits and water filters. Teams apparently visited 5,000 homes on Sunday providing relief for this water crisis.

Army National Guard Major General Gregory Vadnais said in a press conference that the military would do its best to manage the water situation as quickly as possible. He noted that this would be a long-term commitment, and he expects guardsman to rotate in and out of duty.

“We will be here as long as the city of Flint needs us,” Vadnais said.

Guardsman are also staffing five water resource stations throughout the city where residents can pick up supplies and drop off water samples for testing.