Dowsing won't leave you all wet

Last week a friend called and said his well flow rate had really slowed down. He said periodically dirt was entering the water line and showing up when they took showers, flushed their toilets and washed their dishes.

He said he thought the well was going dry and wanted to know what I thought. I told him he should look for another water source that he could punch into and drop a well on his property. I asked him if he knew how to dowse for water. He said “no.” I grabbed my rods and went to his home.

Within about 30 minutes I found an underground stream that measured about 30 feet wide. We placed a stake in the center of the spot. I told him if he has to drop in a well try there first. He said he would. I suspect his well will go dry this summer.

Finding water throughout recorded history has been a real challenge. Our ancestors used an ancient art called divining, dowsing or witching for water. Most dowsers will use a forked willow, hazel or peach stick. My dad always used two three-foot metal welding rods and one five- foot metal welding rod. He used the shorter rods to find spot and the longer rod to see how much and how deep the water was.

What is interesting about this technique is as water travels along the underground stream it creates a magnetic pull on the metal rod.  The stronger the pull on the rods, the higher volume of water present.

I know most of you will think this is bull; however, try it for yourself. Get two metal coat hangers and straighten them out. On one end of each hanger, bend the hanger to give yourself a gripping point. Place a hanger in each hand, hold the hanger waist high and loosely hold the hangers in your hands. Holding the hangers straight out in front of you and walk around your property.

As you walk slowly you will see the hangers cross and pull straight down to the ground, that’s where water is. If you continue walking, the rods will straighten out at the spot where the water ends. The problem is — how much water is there?  At that point it is an educated guess.

When cleaning with any cleaning product, always wear eye protection and rubber gloves to protect your hands. If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266) or toll free at 1 (877) 311-NWES. E-mail them to nwees@hughes. net  or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St. , Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed do?  For more information about Ed’s company, check him out at www.NWESINC.com.

n Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is the president of  Northwest Executive & Environmental Services, Inc.