The anode rod is a magnesium rod, and it is the problem. Remove it and plug the opening. The heater will have a somewhat shorter life, but the odor will go away.: I have a Rheem hotwater heater, now four years old. When I turn on the hot water in : the Master bath it smells like rotten eggs for the first quart or so. I had the annode rod : replaced but that didnt correct the problem. I also have a water purifacation system, and : heard that replacing the annode rod with a magnesium rod would correct the problem. Can you : help?