Water Conservation
Rusty or Smelly Water
Complaints of smelly and rusty water are frequent in the water heater industry. Both are caused by water borne bacteria that flourish in a warm water environment such as a water heater or hot water storage tank.
SMELLY WATER
The most common cause of smelly water is a non-toxic sulfate reducing bacteria called Divibrio Sulfuricans. These bacteria convert sulfates into sulfides that when mixed with hydrogen creates HYDROGEN SULFIDE GAS. The associated "rotten egg" odor may be quite strong.
Along with the sulfur bacteria, required elements are high concentrations of sulfates, active hydrogen, and water with little or no dissolved oxygen. Sulfates provide the food for the bacteria. Hydrogen is already present in the water, and can be enhanced by the water heater anode rod(s). Permanent removal of the anode rod(s) is not an acceptable solution, and will void tank warranty. Examples of water heating systems often low on dissolved oxygen are systems served by well water, vacation or weekend cabins, any water heater with long standby periods and municipal water systems with large reserves and low flow conditions.
RUSTY WATER
Water heaters and storage tanks are often blamed for rusty or discolored water. In fact, it is very unusual for today’s high quality glass lined tanks to have a lining failure significant enough to allow water to contact enough bare metal to discolor the contents of even a small tank.
The common cause of rusty water is iron reducing bacteria called Crenothrix, Leptothrix, and Gallioneila. Iron bacteria is commonly found in soil, water wells, water treatment plants, and water distribution piping systems where soluble iron exceeds 0.2 ppm. Higher levels make conditions even more favorable. Soluble iron in the water provides food for the bacteria. Rusty discolored water is the end result of the bacteria feeding process. Left unchecked, laundry, tableware and plumbing fixtures can be stained.
Heaters and tanks with iron bacteria usually require new anode rods as presence of iron bacteria causes premature anode failure.
SOLUTION
Chlorinate the water heater or tank as per the following instructions. Heaters and tanks with extended iron bacteria infestation may require more than one treatment. A chlorine feeder may be the only permanent solution to repeated iron or sulfur bacteria infestation.