You need to be observant of the land and the vegetation.

You see some trees, there's probably water closer to the surface than anywhere else.

And oddly enough 'divining rods' do work. I saw this guy from the water dept walking across the lawn with this bent coat hanger in his hands. I asked WTF he said he was looking for water leaks from the main. when I asked him what the hell that does, he had me walk around the yard with it loosely in my hand, sure enough it moved, he pointed out that I was standing between the house and the water meter, that would be where our water pipe comes in....again I walked back and when it moved again, he said that's where SFEK... that's where Damnit again.... that's where the sewer pipe would be.