Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) was created in 1997 when the water, solid waste, drainage, and wastewater utilities from the Engineering and Water departments were merged with the Engineering Services Division of the Engineering Department and the Customer Service Call Center and Construction Engineering Sections of City Light. SPU provides water to over 1.25 million customers in the Puget Sound region. Other services to the public include sewer, drainage, and solid waste (garbage and recycling). SPU also provides engineering and survey services to city departments. The department’s outreach and education programs aim to reduce water consumption and increase recycling and composting.