The only way that could be true is if this was distilled water in a perfectly clean glass. A pinch of salt will make that conductive, certainly enough to trip a gfci. My well water (in a drywall bucket) will pass enough power to light a 60w bulb from #10 probes a foot long and 8# apart.

I may reproduce that some day, now that video is an easy thing to post. I don't have the numbers anymore but I was only dropping about 50-60 volts through the water.

It was regular tap water. I feel the need to post this before everyone starts trying it:

WARNING - DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME. MIKE IS A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL AND PLAYING WITH ELECTRICITY CAN GET YOU KILLED.

I witnessed this same stunt performed by Mike Holt several years ago. It was very dramatic. While discussing gfci protection and the way people get shocked, he walks out into the crowd and takes a pitcher of ice water off one of the attendee's tables. He proceeds to dip his relocatable power tap (plug strip) into the pitcher of water. Plugged into the strip was his laptop and projector. And sure enough, he takes a big gulp right from the pitcher. He then proceeds to pull the strip out of the water, shakes it off a bit and sets it back on the ground. No shock, no power disruption, nothing.

I remember wondering how many of the people in attendance were going to go back home and try this same thing but not get it right.

Over the years, I have thought about this demonstration when instructing a class or teaching an apprenticehip course, but have never really mustered a real desire (courage) to try it.