Hazemat: All water conducts electricity, even pure water. The conductivity of water is caused by ions that are present in the water. Pure water has a ph of 7 which means that it has an H+ ion concentration of 1x10exp-7. It will conduct electricity. Rain water has a PH of approx 5, which means it has an H+ ion concentration of 1x10exp-5. This is one hundred times higher than pure water. Thus it will conduct electricity that much better than pure water. The difference in PH is caused by the rain drop absorbing CO2 as it fallls through the air and this causes the rainwater to turn into a week form of carbonic acid. In addition, other contaminents are present in rain water, each rain drop is formed around a dust particle which will have other ions on it. In addition to this as the rain water enters the meter base, it will absorb iron from the corroding portions of the meter base, this will be indicated by the water not being clear in color. Iron oxides contain ions, and ths increase condutivity
Incidentaly are service enterance conductors allowed to be laid directally on roofing shingles
