Water POE connection 2008 NEC

[PetrosA]

I had an inspection for a 200A residential service upgrade yesterday and the inspector claimed that I don't actually need to run my #4 back to within 5 feet of the POE of the water main and that it was fine if I attached to a nearby cold water pipe as long as I ran a jumper around the water meter. He's basing this claim off of consultations he's had with other inspectors in the area and this is supposedly something they concur on. Is there something other than 250.52 (A) (1) and it's exception that would address this and allow it?

 

[infinity]

If the connection is merely bonding the metallic water piping system then I agree with the inspector, however if the water pipe qualifies as a grounding electrode then the connection needs to be within 5' of where it enters the structure.