Method of neutralizing bacteria in sulphur-containing hard water in a water heater

1. A method of neutralizing odor-causing bacteria in sulphur-containing hard water contained in a tank of a water heater, said method comprising the steps of:

i) securing an aluminum alloy sacrificial anode to said tank and extending into the hard water contained in said tank, and wherein said sacrificial anode has 4 to 5% zinc, 0.05 to 0.25% tin, 0.25% max. silicon, and total impurities of 0.15% max. with the balance being aluminum, and

ii) introducing in loose form a zinc metal in said tank of said water heater and thereby neutralizing bacteria and preventing the formation of bad odor in said sulphur-containing hard water contained in said tank.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said zinc metal is in pellet form and introduced in said tank with water contained within the tank whereby said pellet does not damage a glass lined inner surface of said tank by impact therewith.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said zinc pellet is a disc-like pellet having a diameter of ⅝ inch and a thickness of ¼ inch.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said water contained in said tank is hard underground water having a hardness of at least 100 PPM.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said aluminum alloy sacrificial anode as compared to a magnesium sacrificial anode generates at least less than half of the current generated by a magnesium anode and therefore produces at least less than half of hydrogen in said water when operational.

6. The method according to claim 2 wherein said water heater is one of a domestic and commercial water heater.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said method is a retro-fit method.