The water release from the 210 degree temperature or 150 pounds relief valve is usually not the fault of the heater. However this spring valve should be replaced when any moisture is released because the residue can harden and prevent it from relieving the next time.
It is unlikely that the water is reaching 210 degrees. It is more likely that your pressure is building up to 150 pounds from the expansion of the water as it is heated.
Causes include a malfunctioning pressure balancing valve on the inlet of your water service, expansion tank, backwater nipples at the heater connection, a weak relief valve spring and others.
You can purchase a pressure gauge that will record highest pressure reached in addition to current pressure.
While you identify low pressure it may be low volume from a restriction in your water line common to older galvanized pipe. When there is no demand from the water line the pressure is allowed to build back up. This occurs if you have good pressure at first but it quickly dies down.
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