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The region of Puno faces growing environmental challenges as a consequence of anthropogenic activities that generate water pollution through dumping, seepage and other forms of contamination. In this context, environmental criminal law acquires relevance as a legal instrument to protect water resources and punish behaviours that threaten the environment. The objective of the research was to determine how the Maximum Permissible Limits (MPL) and the Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) influence the configuration of the crime of water pollution, within the Peruvian regulatory framework. The methodology is based on a qualitative, legal-dogmatic approach, based on normative and documentary analysis. The legal framework in force was examined, in particular the General Environmental Law (Law No. 28611) and the Water Resources Law (Law No. 29338), as well as various technical reports issued by competent authorities. The results show that, although the LMPs allow the identification of parameters and sources of pollution, their capacity to have a criminal impact is limited due to the lack of automatic sanctions for their violation. On the other hand, ECAs make it possible to establish environmental damage in quantifiable terms, but do not in themselves make it possible to attribute criminal liability. In conclusion, although LMPs and ECAs are essential technical tools for environmental management, their current regulatory design limits their effectiveness as evidentiary means in the criminal field. This weakness reduces their usefulness in the configuration of the crime of water pollution and hinders an adequate criminal sanction.