During a Wednesday meeting about a proposed rate hike by San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS), Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran said her constituents should stop wasting water if they can't afford higher bills.

"The customer has the power to keep their bill the same if they conserve and if they take really good look at where they're using water and how they're using it," said Viagran, whose District 3 includes some of the city's poorest neighborhoods.

"If you decide to put a certain grass in your yard, and that's what you want to keep alive, it's going to cost you more. Or do what I did and let your grass die." Sign up Viagran's comments came during Council Council's B Session, where City of San Antonio Chief Financial Officer Troy Elliott got a lukewarm reception as he discussed SAWS's requested rate changes.