What is reverse osmosis primarily used for?

Reverse osmosis is primarily employed as an effective method to remove pathogens and various contaminants from water, making it a popular choice for water purification processes. This technique involves passing water through a semipermeable membrane that allows only water molecules to pass through while rejecting larger molecules, such as bacteria, viruses, salts, and other impurities. The result is significantly purified water, which is essential for ensuring safe drinking water and meeting various health standards.

The removal of pathogens is vital because it directly contributes to public health by reducing the risk of waterborne diseases, which can have severe health implications. Reverse osmosis systems are widely utilized in both residential and industrial applications, including desalination plants and wastewater treatment facilities, where high degrees of purity are required.

The other options, while related to water treatment and quality, do not accurately describe the primary function of reverse osmosis. Enhancing flavor and adding minerals to drinking water do not align with the fundamental process of reverse osmosis, as this technique focuses on purification rather than modification of taste or composition. Cooling water in industrial processes, while relevant to several cooling techniques, is not associated with reverse osmosis, which is more concerned with filtration and the removal of contaminants rather than temperature regulation.