When leaving on a long vacation, should I have my water turned off?

If leaving for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to have your water turned off at the meter.  If there is a water line break or major leak, this can be avoided when there is no one to monitor the facilities by having the water turned off.  We have found this is a good way to avoid risk.  In addition, if there was to be a leak, the water department is bound to charge the customer because the water was actually used and to defer to cost upon other customers is not reasonable.  Therefore, having the water shut off prior to an extended period away from the residence provides the customer with less risk.