I have a kenmore water heater,I have had smelly water for several years.I raised the heat controls to kill the bacteria. That worked for a while. I changed to pottassium chloride pellets , that worked for a while.I went back to salt, that worked for a while. Always goes back to smelling after a while.I thought about changing the anodes, but I can't find out what sears anodes are made of. I also thought about replumbing the hot water outlet with a ball cock shut off. To pour in some hydrogen peroxide from time to time.I lived across the street before I bought this place, I had no laundry facilitys so I used less water.I had no smell there. Got this place put in a new kenmore heater, I get the smell. I use more water here, so why the smell from bacteria?I know two familys on a common well. Only the one with a kenmore heater has the odor?? I have bought my last kenmore heater.

" raised the heat controls to kill the bacteria: can't kill bacteria by raising the temp. You can only go up to about 120 degrees and you'd have to boil the water to kill bacteria. You also taklk about salt and potasium so are you jumping over to your water softner now? Your heater anode, also called stink rod, is eother aluminum or magnesium, both work. How oldis the tank how often do you flush it. It the cold water smell free?