Ok, let's discuss some basics on Dowsing.
Lesson one....take your time. Read some books on the subject. Join a Dowsing association group. There is a lot more to having your subconscious mind detect water. How deep is the water? Which way is it flowing? Is it contaminated?
Lesson two....practice practice practice. Learn to relax and not assume you know where your target it, you will cloud the answers coming to your indicator L RODS.
Whatever you do, don't profess to be an expert. That takes years and then you may never really grasp it. BUT, I feel the endeavor is well worth the time. There are numerous aspects to dowsing. Learning basic water dowsing which will enable you to use dowsing in other areas such as detecting harmful radiations in your home, finding lost objects, enjoying a hobby searching for lost artifacts, minerals, etc.
Reading some basic dowsing instruction books will help you learn additional functions and methods to dowsing.
There are other tools to use. Y RODS, Aura Wands, and Pendulums.
I use the L RODS in my bare hands, others find it helpful to use wooden or plastic holders to reduce the friction while holding the L RODS, I hold them comfortably and straight in my hands and it works for me.
Practice looking for other underground objects, drainage pipes, septic tanks, etc. You never know when this knowledge and ability will come in handy.