What is the major purpose of desalination?

Desalination is primarily aimed at making seawater safe for drinking by removing the salts and other impurities present in ocean water. This process treats seawater, which is generally not suitable for human consumption or agricultural use due to its high salt content. Through various methods such as reverse osmosis or distillation, desalination systems effectively convert saline water into fresh water that meets health standards for drinking and irrigation.

While conserving water resources may be a secondary benefit of desalination, the main objective is to transform saline water into a potable resource. The removal of harmful bacteria can certainly be a part of water treatment processes, but it is not the primary focus of desalination. Increasing water temperature is not a relevant aspect of desalination; rather, the goal is to purify water, not change its temperature. Therefore, the focus is fundamentally on making seawater consumable and safe for humans and agricultural purposes.