After noticing a chemical smell in their tap water, dubious residents of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, bought bottled water in December despite assurances that the smelly water is safe and meets quality standards.

Beginning Dec 10, many Hangzhou residents reported that their tap water smelled like plastics, oil paints or pesticides.

The local water company said that the water is safe to drink. Even so, it advised using bottled water for children and seniors.

The local government and the environmental protection authority have given no explanation for the smell.