: The odor is caused by a reaction between your water and the magnesium anode in the water heater. Removing it shuld eliminate the odor, but will also reduce the life of the water heater. You should contact the Rheem/Ruud/Richmond water heater company to see if they have a fix that does not affect their warranty.: : Help! We recently replaced our old water heater with a Richmond brand serial RC0997b27667, model#8v56-2c. It is an electric heater (240 volts). We live in the country and have well water. Since we got the new heater the hot water smell awful!! Mostly a sulfur smell. Companys coming, can anyone help??? Amy
