Challenge between science and the paranormal

The skeptics of CICAP, Piero Angela, and their mentor James Randi, have often claimed that only a precise demonstration of dowsing, in terms of parameters such as the depth and quantity of water sources, could prove its authenticity.

Furthermore, ideally, the dowser should also be able to indicate the points where water is not present, as a small amount of water can be found almost anywhere.

In the case of the thermal discovery in Valdieri, which you will read about below, Maurizio Armanetti, president of the company Luni Ricerche s.r.l., conducted a search that far exceeded the parameters set by the skeptics, thus confirming the effectiveness of dowsing.

Armanetti precisely identified the vertical alignment of the exact point where a rare and valuable thermal aquifer flows.

He was able to detect the quality of the water, specifically its thermal nature, in an untouched area overlain by cold water—a feat deemed impossible by science.

He indicated the various levels of the thermal waters, identifying the start of the thermal aquifer at 330 meters with 100% accuracy, also considered impossible by science. Additionally, he accurately measured the exact temperatures of the different layers of thermal water, another task science cannot accomplish, as well as the precise flow rate of the aquifer.

The first well drilled based on his indications reached 380 meters, confirming the high quality of the thermal water. A second well is planned at 770 meters to access the hot thermal water.

At the conclusion of the three-month geological study, he also accurately predicted, prior to drilling in the location selected by geologists, where no thermal water was present—another accomplishment beyond scientific reach.

At the end of the three-month geological survey, he also accurately predicted, even before drilling at the location selected by geologists, where there was no thermal water—another accomplishment deemed impossible by science.

The project was monitored and verified by the Municipality of Valdieri, the Piedmont Region (the project’s thermal funding body), the Polytechnic University of Turin appointed by the Region, the geologists responsible for the project management, and the entire local population, who had the opportunity to witness the realization of a long-awaited dream: the discovery of thermal water, a project nurtured for over 30 years. The results of this extraordinary success were widely publicized by the media and celebrated at a public conference organized by the Municipality of Valdieri.

In 2013, after a meeting with the then-mayor Emanuel Parracone, Luni Ricerche s.r.l. was tasked by the Mountain Community to develop a feasibility project* for the search for thermal waters in the Valdieri Plain, an area considered ideal for thermal tourism development, as identified by the Mountain Community and the Municipality of Valdieri.

Using the exclusive method of Luni Ricerche (which boasts over 99% success rate), the preliminary research assessed this area as favorable for the discovery of a valuable thermal aquifer.

A detailed report was then prepared, containing precise indications of depth, temperatures of the thermal aquifers at various levels, and an estimate of the flow rate.

In 2018, official confirmation of the great success achieved by Luni Ricerche regarding the discovery of thermal water in the Valdieri Plain was received. The documentation and a detailed report from the technicians appointed by the Municipality are available on-site and attest to the accuracy of the research conducted. The thermal survey proved to be 100% accurate regarding the depth, quality, and temperatures of the thermal aquifers.

The Feasibility Project is an exclusive technical service that, through thorough preliminary research, allows for the identification of new thermal water resources.
The technical investigations to identify potential thermal aquifers focus on the area specified by the client.
At the end of the research, a detailed report is delivered to the client, including the predicted stratigraphy, which contains the fundamental technical data to support subsequent business decisions.

The technical data derived from the preliminary research, delivered to the client with the corresponding report, include:

• Analysis of the areas specified by the client, aimed at verifying the possible presence of valuable thermal aquifers.
• Depth of the thermal aquifers.
• Indicative temperatures of the thermal waters at various depths.
• Estimated flow rate of the thermal aquifer.

Extracts from the Report delivered on 04.09.2013 to the Mountain Community of the Alps and the Sea:

Following the report from Luni Ricerche, which highlighted the presence of thermal aquifers in the Valdieri Plain, an area considered ideal for thermal tourism development, the Municipality issued a call for tenders that required the drilling company to guarantee the success of the well (if no thermal water was found, the Municipality would not pay).
The tender was won by a drilling company that, instead of consulting Luni Ricerche to complete the thermal survey and pinpoint the exact location for drilling, decided to rely on a renowned geological company from Siena, S.G.G., to conduct further scientific investigations.

After three months of geological studies, S.G.G. indicated a location in the Plain, about one kilometer away from the area suggested by Luni Ricerche, claiming, based on their analysis, that the original area was unsuitable for thermal water extraction. As a result, the geological company proposed relocating from the area the Municipality deemed ideal for tourism development.

Contrary to the claims made by S.G.G.’s geologists, Luni Ricerche sent an official letter to the Municipality of Valdieri, warning that drilling at the site indicated by S.G.G. would result in total failure, with no thermal water discovery.
The facts confirmed this outcome: the well drilled at S.G.G.'s suggestion proved unsuccessful, jeopardizing the entire thermal project and the Municipality's tourism aspirations, as well as the funding from the Piedmont Region.

The situation was saved at the last minute thanks to a new assignment given to Luni Ricerche, which continued the research in the initially suggested area, pinpointing the exact drilling location. The result was an extraordinary success: at 380 meters deep, as predicted by Luni Ricerche, excellent thermal water was found, with the correct temperature and flow rate.

Excerpt from the letter submitted to the Municipality of Valdieri’s protocol:

"I would like to point out that according to my research (external to the enclosure) extended to approximately 1300 meters deep, the drilling currently underway in Valdieri (NIGRO GROUP SRL) for the discovery of hot thermal waters will have a NEGATIVE outcome because drilling is being conducted in the wrong area.

Negative regarding the discovery, as per the INITIAL Project (see attached Feasibility Project for Thermal Water Research in Valdieri) of a THERMAL WATER that meets today’s market requirements, RICH IN MINERALS (over 1000 mg) and with a temperature higher than 37 degrees. (Indoor and outdoor pools, even in winter, for a season-independent tourism, all year round).

The water that will be found will have a PREPONDERANCE of regular water with an extraction temperature between 20 and 30 degrees, low in minerals (oligomineral), although "contaminated" during its course by thermal water."

Result of the drilling based on S.G.G.’s indications:
The failed drilling, carried out based on geological advice, reached a depth of about 800 meters without finding the presence of thermal water as predicted by the project.

Pz 1: Well drilled based on the indications of S.G.G.

Pz 2: Well drilled based on the indications of Luni Ricerche Srl (now ALEXANDRA di Armanetti Maurizio e C.S.A.S.).

Here are the scientific results that highlight that the technical data written in the report from Luni Ricerche Srl are 100% accurate:

• Discovery of water with thermal mineral quality.
• Exact depth of the thermal aquifers (328-335 meters / 358-366 meters).
• Exact temperature of the thermal aquifers: 15°C at 328-335 meters / 18°C at 358-366 meters.

This thermal research represents not only a significant economic value for the Municipality of Valdieri but also holds immense scientific value, providing concrete evidence of the extraordinary perceptive abilities of the human brain, capable of surpassing the performance of current computers and scientific equipment.