Re: Grounding Thought Experiment
My understanding is that the waterline must be supplemented because it may go away. The copper pipe may be replaced with plastic and the plumber does not realize that he has eliminated the grounding for the structure. I guess it is assumed that if someone pulled up a ground rod they would know they have affected the grounding. Keep in mind that a single ground rod with a resistance above 25-ohms must be supplemented by an additional ground (usually another rod).