Getting Rid of Bacteria in The Water Heater?

You didn't state your source of water to the hot water heater. We have well water in this rural town. Our water gets a gets a harmless bacteria that makes it smell bad. It also lives in the water heater making the hot water even worse. We pour about a cup of household chlorine bleach (not scented) into the well every 30 - 45 days. Any water that we use for drinking or cooking is run through a pur faucet filter.

Maggie Speed

September 22, 20080 found this helpful

When we first moved into our house our water heater had a bad odor ours. We turned off the power and the water supply to the water heater. Then hooked a garden hose to the botton of the heater and turned the valve on and drained the heater.

We have city water, and none of our neighbors have any problems with their water, so it's obviously something in my house - heater, pipes, drains etc. Thank you so much for your response, and if you think of anything else let me know! Thanks

How do you know you have bacteria in your water? Have you had your water quality checked? It might be worth paying for testing. It might not be your water heater. Check your water source first. I'd also drain the water heater, as in the post above.