Slorch, I agree with the family pro, in your case the water pipe doesn't meet the criteria of being a Gounding Electrode and doesn't sound as though it is being used as such.
From the 99 NEC
250-50(a) Metal Underground Water Pipe A metal underground water pipe in direct contact with the earth for 10ft (305m) or more (including any metal well casing effectivly bonded to the pipe) and electrically continuous (or made electrically continuous by bonding around insulating joints or sections of insulating pipe) to the points of connection of the grounding electrode conductor and the bonding conductors.
Any Metalic Water Piping must be bonded though.
250.104 Bonding of Piping Systems and Exposed Structural Steel
(A) Metal Water Piping The metal water piping system shall be bonded as required in (A)(1), (A)(2), or (A)(3) of this section. The bonding jumper(s) shall be installed in accordance with 250.64(A), (B), and (E). The points of attachment of the bonding jumper(s) shall be accessible.
(1) General Metal water piping system(s) installed in or attached to a building or structure shall be bonded to the service equipment enclosure, the grounded conductor at the service, the grounding electrode conductor where of sufficient size, or to the one or more grounding electrodes used. The bonding jumper(s) shall be sized in accordance with Table 250.66 except as permitted in 250.104(A)(2) and (A)(3).
If I understand correctly, the installation is OK.
Roger
[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 12-01-2005).]
