Welcome back to Ask Brock, the series where we tackle the big questions shaping the future of groundwater, drilling, and the professionals who keep it all flowing.

We’ve covered workforce challenges, legislative blind spots, and emerging contaminants—but today, we’re flipping the script. This question was asked in 2023:

“Brock, what’s your greatest concern for the industry right now?”

Here’s what he had to say in 2025:

“How we represent ourselves. That’s the real concern.”

Let’s unpack that. We live in a time of extreme water challenges—historic droughts, climate shifts, PFAS contamination, and increasing demands on infrastructure. The United States is facing a water reckoning, and yet, the people most qualified to lead—drillers, hydrogeologists, and groundwater pros—are often absent from the headlines.

That has to change. Drillers are not just machine operators. They’re the ones trusted to slice into the earth, find the aquifer, and deliver water to families and communities. That takes skill, science, and accountability.

Brock calls it like it is: drillers are surgeons for the subsurface. And yet, the way our industry is represented—from public perception to legislative tables—is far too quiet, too siloed, and often undervalued.

A few key concerns Brock raises:

1. The War on Knowledge

We’ve got to stop gatekeeping and start sharing. Technical expertise, best practices, and environmental data should be circulating—not siloed. The only way we stay ahead of regulations, misinformation, and poor drilling practices is by investing in professional development—through our trade shows, associations, and yes, even universities.

2. The Age Gap

The workforce is aging fast. And we’re not pulling in enough new talent to replace it. Brock points to a critical need: inspire the next generation—not just with tools and tech, but with a sense of mission. Water isn’t a commodity. It’s survival. We need to show younger professionals that drilling is not a job—it’s a calling.

3. Ego vs. Impact

This one hits home: “Check the driller ego. We’re not in this for the spotlight—but we have to recognize our impact. Drillers move civilization forward. We need to represent that with pride.”

It’s time to reframe what it means to be in this industry. We’re not just digging holes—we’re protecting aquifers, sustaining agriculture, and delivering safe drinking water to millions.

• That includes the 13% of Americans on private wells—and the 87% who rely on broader supply systems influenced by the work we do.

We have to own that role. Advocate for it. And carry ourselves like the experts we are. Because whether it’s million-dollar rigs, complex formations, or federal policy—this industry knows how to show up and deliver. Now it’s time we tell that story better, together.