What's the difference between laws enforcing property rights and regulations?

Laws preventing fraud and defending property rights can be complex -- and, in my opinion, they need to be strengthened and actually enforced. What distinguishes such proper laws from rights-violating regulations? For example, a mining company does not have the right to dump toxic waste and thereby pollute an underground aquifer long-used for drinking water. So should the water pollution standards be codified into law in some way? How can that be done without instituting burdensome and rights-violating regulations?