I was just told by GE that using aluminum/zinc anoderod for smelly water is a fallacy

[jbander]

There isn't one comment on the Internet that I can find that supports that, they argued with me and said they will show me the research , they are sending it. Anyone have a comment on this.

 

[speedbump]

From all I've learned about sulfur odor and anode rods; changing to a different kind can stop the problem. I have also learned that bacteria can live in water up to 140°. So what would the anode rod have to do with that?

I think there is more to this than most of us know, but where to find the straight scoop eludes me.

 

[KULTULZ]

There isn't one comment on the Internet that I can find that supports that, they argued with me and said they will show me the research , they are sending it. Anyone have a comment on this.

I would wish that you share here whatever info GE sends you.

Whether different types of rods may work depends on water quality directly from the well and any treatment (including a softener) after the service entry.

Anaerobic bacteria can be controlled with a water temp mixing valve.

http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/pa...ooting/stinky-water-in-hot-water-heaters.html

 

[Caduceus]

Aluminum produces less hydrogen ions than magnesium in water heaters that already have some bacteria. Fewer hydrogen ions could lead to lower production of hydrogen sulfide gas. Rheem uses this same info for promoting their electric anodes.
Rheem makes GE tanks
"2. Install a new Rheem R-TECH anode rod after the water heater has been flushed
with household bleach. This process may not be 100% effective because, without continuous
chlorination, bacteria are still allowed to grow inside the tank. The Rheem R-Tech anode
reduces the overall anode activity thereby reducing the availability of hydrogen ions. "

 

[KULTULZ]

"2. Install a new Rheem R-TECH anode rod after the water heater has been flushed with household bleach. This process may not be 100% effective because, without continuous chlorination, bacteria are still allowed to grow inside the tank.

The Rheem R-Tech anode reduces the overall anode activity thereby reducing the availability of hydrogen ions. "

It would be wiser (IMO) to either flush/treat a WH with H2O2 either by direct addition or a continuous injection system. Chlorine (household bleach variety) is very caustic.

Thermostatic Mixing Valves - http://www.watts.com/pages/learnAbout/temperingValves.asp?catId=64

Problem: Legionella Bacteria

Legionella is the bacteria responsible for Legionnaire’s Disease, an acute bacterial infection of the lower respiratory tract. This bacterium was first identified in 1977 by the Centers for Disease Control as the cause of an outbreak of pneumonia that caused 34 deaths at a 1976 American Legion Convention in Philadelphia. Pontiac Fever is a less severe, non-pneumonia, flu-like disease that is associated with and likely caused by Legionella bacteria. Legionella is a fairly common water bacteria and has been found to exist widely in many surface water sources such as; lakes, rivers, streams and ponds. It can also be found in ground water sources and some soils. At the levels found in these naturally occurring sources it typically does not pose a threat to public health. When the bacterium enters a domestic water system it can find an ideal host environment of warm water temperatures (105-115°F), stagnant water areas (storage tanks and dead-end piping legs) and ample food sources (sediment, scale, deposits and biofilm). Under these conditions Legionella can rapidly colonize, forming higher concentrations that can pose the public health threat of Legionnaire’s Disease.

There are many methods of controlling colonization of Legionella bacteria. However, a widely accepted and preferred method is to maintain the hot water system storage temperature continually at or above 140°F. Unfortunately, the elevated temperature necessary to minimize the growth of and kill Legionella bacteria has the potential to cause serious thermal shock and scalding injuries.

Solution:

Watts Thermostatic Mixing Valves maintain and limit the mixed hot water to a desirable, selectable temperature allowing for the storage of domestic hot water at the higher temperatures necessary to reduce the risk of Legionella growth in the system.