I'm reading this post with interest.
I went with a friend to a Tucker demo 18 mnts back and the chap demonstrating the gear said that pure water doesn't conduct electricity. It's the dirt in tap water that conducts electricity.
I thought at the time, 'Yeah right,' and then gave it no more thought till I bought an alarm that tells you when your tank is full by fixing two small electrodes at the water level mark.
And guess what it didn't work. I tested it in tap water and it worked every time till I put it back in pure water and then no joy. It wouldn't work.
However, is this just because the voltage and current concerned is very low or would this also be true of higher voltages and current?
Must admit I wouldn't want to find out the hard way.

Mark