My electric hot water cylinder has been emitting a strong metallic smell for the past few days. I have lived in this property for six months and it hasn't happened before. The hot water also has a slightly metallic taste. Does anyone know what could be causing this? Cheers!

Are you on a municipal water system or a well?

Let's see if I have this correct. The smell is worse around the water heater. Then in the hot water itself. Is that correct? If that's so, then I would suspect that you have a electrical issue in the heater. Something in there is heating up and smelling. This sounds like more intellectual issued to me the a Plumbing one. I would have it checked out ASAP.
Let me know I make out. Good luck, Tom