Kabul Residents Complain of Poor Hygiene in Water Parks, Pools and Saunas

Residents of Kabul have raised concerns over the lack of hygiene standards in indoor water parks, pools and saunas, despite high entry fees. They report that water in these facilities is not changed regularly, lacks proper filtration or disinfection, and proper oversight is absent, leading some visitors to fall ill with skin issues, eye irritation, sore throats and colds.

Ahmad Wali, a Kabul resident, said he has reduced visits due to poor water quality and inadequate hygiene practices. He noted that only a few facilities have standard filtration systems, and compared conditions unfavorably to those in neighboring Iran, where water is changed daily, disinfectants are used, and visitors must shower before entering pools. "The cost is very high, but the water quality is low and polluted. I'm sure anyone playing in these saunas will face skin problems," Ahmad Wali said.

Ismail, another resident, stopped taking his children to these venues out of fear for their health, citing instances where people enter pools with personal clothing or items, increasing disease risks. He shared a personal experience of falling ill for a week after a visit, suffering from eye burning, sore throat, cold and skin problems.

Sulaiman Khan urged the Taliban-run Kabul municipality to enforce regular cleaning, water changes and disinfection to prevent disease outbreaks. He highlighted overcrowding, especially on holidays, and instances of children urinating in pools, questioning how often water is drained.

Qadir added that fees are unaffordable for average earners and services do not match costs, with overcrowding exacerbating pollution. Residents also alleged that some facility owners bribe Taliban officials to evade health inspections. They called on authorities to ensure standards, noting limited recreational options force families to use these centers.