What is one primary function of distillation in water treatment?

Distillation in water treatment primarily involves the process of heating water to create steam and then condensing that steam back into liquid form. This method effectively separates water from impurities, including inorganic salts, which are left behind in the distillation chamber. One of the main advantages of distillation is its ability to reduce the concentration of these inorganic compounds, as they do not evaporate alongside the water.

The key aspect of distillation is that it focuses on removing dissolved solids and contaminants, making it especially valuable for producing purified water. The steam that is condensed is largely free of these dissolved materials, ensuring that the resulting water is of high purity.

While other processes in water treatment may address large particles or add nutrients, distillation is specifically aimed at achieving purity through the removal of inorganic salts and other contaminants. Thus, its primary function aligns with significantly reducing these unwanted substances in the treated water, affirming why the chosen answer is fitting.