WorldWide Drilling Resource

Through the Back Door! by Jim Kuebelbeck Why are some water well drilling professionals reluctant to hire or work with water dowsers? Some 50 years ago when I discovered I too might have some water dowsing ability, I asked myself this very question. In my search for answers, it didn't take long to discover some good reasons for their reluctance. In any profession, who could fault someone for being reluctant to hire someone who could not make a positive contribution to their efforts? Inexperienced “would- be” water dowsers certainly fall into this category. All too often, in their naive eager- ness to demonstrate their newly discovered “ability”, many would-be water dowsers attempt to offer judgment about the presence of groundwater sources, only to dis- cover, by subsequent drilling, their unfounded predictions were not based upon fact. Thus, the apparent value of water dowsing is discredited in the eyes of the general public, and the drilling contractor also. Who could fault a well drilling pro- fessional for not wanting to work with such an individual? I now believe there are two distinct types of water dowsers. Unfortunately, the first type of water dowser seems to be the most common. This type of self-pro- claimed water dowser has all the answers. He or she somehow knows everything. They have never drilled a water well in their life. They have no knowledge of water well construction, or about geology. They have never worked on a drilling rig, yet they somehow know more than the well drilling professional! In their ignorance, it matters little to them that their few “supposed” successes came not from their dowsing ability, but from the fact it would have been difficult to drill on their selected sites and NOT encounter a satisfactory water supply! How did these self-pro- claimed water dowsers get so smart in just one lifetime? Let me tell you: Old Aunt Botchuppa once showed them how to hold a dowsing rod of some type, and told them they were now water dowsers! They were also probably told that if a water source was not encountered on sites where they were able to get some kind of dowsing reaction, it was because the rig operator drilled through the water-bearing formation! The second type of water dowser is the type who has quietly worked behind the scenes, learning everything they could about their unusual ability before ever considering making predictions about the presence of an underground water source. This type of dowser never seeks publicity. They don't have to advertise their dowsing ability - past clients do this for them. They are hired by landowners, well drilling professionals, property developers, farmers, ranchers, homebuilders, and others within both the public and private sector. Although extremely rare, this is the true water dowser. Not knowing a water dowser’s track record or ability, however, I can easily understand why some well drilling profession- als are reluctant to put their own repu- tations on the line by working with, or hiring any water dowser. Most every- one has heard the expression, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” In water dowsing, however, a little knowl- edge can be a very expensive thing, not only for landowners, but for the well drilling professional as well. The statements and comments in this article are based on information and references believed to be true and factual. If you have any questions or comments, please forward them to me in care of WWDR . Jim Jim Kuebelbeck may be contacted via e-mail to michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com EXB September 20-21, 2018 The Bertram Inn & Conference Center Aurora, Ohio For more information call 877-632-4748 or visit www.nda4u.com Save the Date 2018 NDA Convention Exhibitor & Sponsor Opportunities are Available! President’s Dinner with Awards and Entertainment • Golf Outing • Presentations for CE Credits • Outdoor Static Displays • And More. 23 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® MAY 2018