March 31, 2010 > Milpitas Animal Community Center bags Conservation award Milpitas Animal Community Center bags Conservation award Submitted By Kelly Grant Photos By courtesy of Kelly Grant Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) was one of six recipients to receive the Silicon Valley Water Conservation Award on World Water Day. HSSV was recognized by the Silicon Valley Water Conservation Awards Coalition for its innovative programs and leadership that are advancing water conservation in Silicon Valley. "We were very impressed with Humane Society Silicon Valley's comprehensive water-savings plan and fantastic Animal Community Center," said Peter Drekmeier, Bay Area program director for the Tuolumne River Trust, and a member of the Silicon Valley Water Conservation Awards Coalition. HSSV's new Animal Community Center, which opened in Milpitas last spring, is a registered Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project and on track to be one of the nation's first LEED Gold Certified Animal Community Centers. Through aggressive efficiency measures, the new facility will use 45 percent less water than comparable facilities. HSSV has invested in a high-pressure, kennel-cleaning system, requiring only 2.2 gallons per minute, and utilizes high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and laundry appliances throughout the facility. HSSV also installed artificial turf rather than natural grass in the community parks and uses native plants in landscaping. "While designing our new Milpitas Animal Community Center, we challenged ourselves to find creative solutions to reduce costs while making equally important environmental choices," said Christine Benninger, President of Humane Society Silicon Valley. The Awards were presented at a ceremony held on March 22, hosted by Applied Materials in Santa Clara. For more information on the Water Conversation award visit www.waterawards.org.