Final answer:
If metal underground water pipe is utilized for grounding, it should have at least 10 feet of direct contact with the earth.
Step-by-step explanation:
When metal underground water pipes are used for grounding, they need to have a certain amount of direct contact with the earth to effectively dissipate electrical charges. The National Electrical Code (NEC) specifies that metal underground water pipes utilized as grounding electrodes should have at least 10 feet of direct contact with the earth.