What could be the problem causing the rotten egg smell in the water? We have changed the anode rod.shocked the well.no sulfur. We have kinetico softener. Use iron out salt. Water heater 2 yrs old.

first replace your anode rod if that doesn't work the problem is in your water look at water treatment systems

my grandma had the same issue. I fixed it by installing a water filter. Good Luck

Anode rod is reacting with well water
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html#smell
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Clean the tank with hydrogen peroxide as outlined in following link.
You may also need well company to shock-treat the well with clorox, or whatever procedure they recommend for local area.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html#H2O2

These anode rods, sometimes made from aluminum, prevent corrosion. The rod emits ions that line the tank and help prevent corrosion. The rod isn't solid magnesium or aluminum; it has an iron core. If your hot water smells of sulfur (rotten eggs), the anode rod has gone bad or there is a presence of hydrogen sulfur gas that is overwhelming the rod. Usually replacing the rod will stop the odor, but sometimes chlorination of the tank is necessary.

The smell is from bacteria.
1) The tank needs a new anode rod, but it also needs a periodic dose of hydrogen peroxide.
Recommend you reconfigure incoming water pipes where you can easily add 2 bottles of hydrogen peroxide and then flush water heater each 6 months. The peroxide kills the bacteria. Peroxide is not harmful to you since it is also used orally. You don't drink a bottle of peroxide, but it will not cause harm in trace amounts left in water heater.
2) There is something else to consider. If yours is a 12-year tank or lifetime tank, then you probably have 2 anode rods. Replacing one anode rod will not solve problem.
3) Another solution is a power anode rod. If your tank has two anode rods, then replace one with powered anode, and then remove the second anode rod.
According to the seller, he's had only one person where the water heater smell came back.


Here are links to information and to the powered anode rod:
http://www.waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html
http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/pages/WHRpages/English/OrderPages/XCart/Power-Anode.html

Manufacturers are starting to add powered anode rods to their top models to assure longer tank life and better customer satisfaction.

Add a comment if you need more help.

When the water heater smells bad, it is time for a new anode rod.
And then you flush the water heater with 2 bottles of hydrogen peroxide.

With water heaters that experience the problem frequently, you change your incoming cold water pipes so hydrogen peroxide can be added easily.

http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20047047,00.html
http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/pages/WHRpages/English/Longevity/water-heater-anodes.html
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/02/prweb3592714.htm

You'll have to disconnect the water lines from the top to pull the rod up out from within the tank. If you don't have enough clearance above the tank, you'll have to drain the tank, remove the venting and tilt it or lay it down to remove it. The sacrificial rods usually go bad prematurely on well water systems with hard water and causes a sulfur stench in your water. Here's a quick test to try before you do this: Go to the nearest faucet to the water heater and fill a glass full of cold water and another glass full of hot water and smell them. If the hot water is the only glass that smells like rotten eggs, it's most likely coming from your water heater due to your anode rod. Douglas

The smell is from the (anode rod not sure of this term is exact) in the water hater. Smells like rotten eggs. You have to remove the rod in the top of the water heater. This will void the warranty of the heater. The soot is due to flame adjustment. this should be done by a professional.

its the mag rod in water heater-if your not using alot of hot water,and water is sitting in heater it will smell like rotten eggs-u can remove mag rod from water heater.it is in top of heater-