A rotten egg odor originating from your water heater is almost always caused by sulfur-reducing bacteria reacting chemically with the sacrificial magnesium anode rod inside the storage tank. As naturally occurring harmless bacteria interact with sulfates in the water supply, they produce hydrogen sulfide gas, which creates an intensely foul sulfur smell whenever you open your hot water taps. While this odor does not pose acute toxic health risks, it makes water unpleasant to use. Verification: Flush the tank thoroughly or replace the magnesium anode rod with a zinc-aluminum alternative to eliminate the chemical reaction permanently.
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