Nassau County has experienced a rapid growth in population and industry in the past 20 years that has resulted in increased development of its ground-water resources. The county is located in west-central Long Island and its boundaries enclose a land area of 274 square miles. The climate is relatively mild and precipitation averages 43 inches a year. The precipitation is the ultimate source of natural replenishment to the ground-water reservoir. Ground water is found in the pore spaces of unconsolidated sands, gravels, and clays which overlay a basement of crystalline bedrock.