What type of water treatment method is reportedly effective in removing salts and impurities?

Reverse osmosis is a water treatment method that is notably effective in removing salts and impurities from water. This process involves applying pressure to water as it passes through a semi-permeable membrane that allows water molecules to pass through while blocking larger molecules, such as salts, minerals, and other contaminants.

The effectiveness of reverse osmosis in desalination and impurity removal stems from its ability to separate different particles based on their size and charge. By doing so, it can significantly reduce total dissolved solids (TDS) and produce purified water suitable for various uses. This method is commonly used in both large-scale desalination plants and for home water purification systems.

In contrast, distillation involves heating water to create vapor and then cooling it to collect distilled water, which can also remove impurities but generally requires more energy. Filtration typically removes larger particles and contaminants but may not effectively reduce dissolved salts. Heat treatment is primarily used for disinfection rather than for the removal of salts. Therefore, reverse osmosis stands out as the preferred option for achieving high-quality water devoid of salts and many impurities.