<i>Escherichia coli</i> concentration, multiscale monitoring over the decade 2011–2021 in the Mekong River basin, Lao PDR

Abstract. Bacterial pathogens in surface waters may threaten human health, especially developing countries, where untreated water is often used for domestic needs. The objective of the long-term multiscale monitoring Escherichia coli ([E. coli]) concentration stream water, and that associated variables (temperature (T), electrical conductance (EC), dissolved oxygen ([DO]) saturation (DO%), pH (pH), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), turbidity (Turb), total suspended sediment ([TSS])), was to identify drivers bacterial dissemination across tropical catchments. This data description paper presents three datasets (see “Data availability” section) collected at 31 sampling stations located within Mekong River its tributaries Lao PDR (0.6–25 946 km2) from 2011 2021. 1602 records have been describe hydrological processes driving in-stream E. during flood events, understand land-use impact on small large catchment scales, relate quality diarrhea outbreaks, build numerical models. database be further used, e.g., interpret new measured monitored catchments, or map health risk posed by fecal pathogens.