[Boatanchors] Ground Rod

[AB3L1 at aol.com]

The idea that if you can push the ground rod in by hand may not necessarily mean that it isn't making contact.
 
By using the water  to aid in pushing the rod, I would look at it as using the resulting mud, as being the "oil", to lubricate the rod as it is pushed in. The water will displace the air from the dirt so that when the water dissipates you will have rod to dirt contact. The idea is to move the rod straight up and down as much as possible cuz if you start to push it side to side the hole elongates and there will be an air void.

I replaced the gas service to a prior house. Had to dig a hole at the curb to work the hookup at the valve. Naturally there was a good sized hole to fill. My plumber buddy told me how to do it without having a huge hump as the groung gradually settled. Water the bottom of the hole, put a four inch layer of soil on top and walk over it to pack it in. More water, more dirt, pack. By the time I was done all the dirt was back in and the sod was back on top, level with the rest and never settled after that. 
No air, all dirt.

Hope this helps.

Have fun,

Bob AB3L