Individuals can help by deciding to not waste or pollute water. Many routine household activities contribute to water pollution. Many household cleaners, solvents and hobby materials are harmful to water. Lawn fertilizers and weed and pest killers also contribute to water pollution. During a rainstorm, these chemicals wash into water bodies and cause pollution.
Batteries contain toxic materials - mercury and cadmium.
If put in the trash, they can corrode and release heavy metals which can wash into surface waters or leach into groundwater.