Other causes of ectropion are scarring, burns, trauma (called cicatricial ectropion), spasm of the orbicularis muscle, which may affect either the upper or lower eyelid, or paralysis of the orbicularis muscle in which only the lower eyelid is affected.
It is possible that there is nothing wrong with your water heater. There is a pressure relief valve on top that may be releasing water because your primary water pressure reduction valve for the house is worn out. The fact that the leak is intermittent suggests this.
Another leak can occur at the Heater Core which mostly happens due to a lack of antifreeze in the system. The antifreeze acts as a coolant in the summer as well. Of course, the water pump can also leak at the seal, which also deteriorates.