If a Hydrogen Sulfide odor is associated primarily with the hot water system, a hot water heater modification may reduce the odor or you may need to pasteurize the system. If the odor is stronger in the electric water tank, we recommend the following:

• Turn off the system and drain the tank. Note any anomalies such as: the color and odor of the water, coatings, precipitates, or other solid materials.

• Allow the tank to refill, but raise the temperature setting of the tank to a level above 140 F.

• Allow the tank to stay at this level for at least 6 to 10 hours. d. Turn off the system and reduce the system to the normal temperature setting.

• Drain any discolored water and then allow the tank to refill.

• If the odor goes away it was most likely bacteria growing in the tank that is causing the problem.

• If the odor returns immediately it is likely a chemical reaction between the water and the Sacrificial Anode used in the system.

It would be advisable to check the quality of the water entering the tank.

If you have a well, we recommend that you also Shock Disinfect the well and distribution system.

If sediment is entering or leaving the system, you might want to consider a RUSCO 1-1/2-60 Hot Water Spin-Down Filter System. You would install this on the inlet side of the water-heating tank and add peroxide to aid in the disinfection process. If this does not work, try replacing the sacrificial magnesium anode rod with an aluminum anode or replace the hot-water heating tank with an on-demand system, a plastic-lined tank, or a commercial stainless-steel unit.