by Elizabeth Ruiz and Bill O'Neil

Grease and rags from homes in a Northeast Side neighborhood are being blamed for a 63,000-gallon sewage spill.

"Unfortunately, there was a clog in a fairly large sewer line that was caused by grease and what we call rags, which amount to disposable wipes and paper towels, and all those things that people really shouldn't put down the drain," said SAWS spokeswoman Anne Hayden.

The stinky mess under Wurzbach Parkway near Weidner Road comes as SAWS prepares to ask City Council for a big rate hike Thursday.

"This is an example of why SAWS is needing to ask the council for an increase in our sewer rates," Hayden told 550 KTSA News.

If  the SAWS water plan is approved by City Council, the average customer will pay 55 percent more by 2017.  

That means the average SAWS residential customer will be paying a little more than $77, up from the current average bill of $49.72.

Thursday, SAWS will pitch the 2013 rate hike to City Council, and if that proposal is okayed, SAWS officials will come back next year to request approval of the final four years of the water plan.