I'm wearing my Town Commissioner hat here...
It's already begun! Night temperatures in the upper teens have been responsible for pipes freezing and breaking in one or two instances that I've heard about in Highlands, this year. When a pipe freezes and breaks, causing water to run until the break is discovered, the homeowner is responsible for that water bill. If it takes 2 months for the leak to be discovered, you could be faced with a water bill in excess of $10,000! It's happened many times over the years in Highlands. In fact, as an elected Commissioner, I'd say I get about three calls a year from residents wanting to know if I could help get their bill reduced, "because it was an accident, after all." The Town of Highlands does have a policy that if a break is a first time occurrence to a homeowner, they'll wave 50% of the bill, after you present a receipt from a plumber showing the repair has been made. There is a simple way to prevent this, and that is to have your water turned off, AT THE STREET VALVE! I know many folks have a "Water Cop" or some similar device that turns the water off in their basement, crawlspace or under the kitchen sink. This only protects you from a water leak or break within your home. However, you're responsible for water from the house side of your valve (at the street) all the way to your house. If you had a pipe leak or break below ground, in the yard, the "Water Cop" won't help you and you'll be responsible for that water bill.
While having to pay an obscene water bill like this seems unfair, it's important to note that this is more of State of North Carolina law. As it should, the State views water as a precious, non renewable resource that shouldn't be wasted. Not turning your water off when you leave your house for the season is viewed by the State as careless. By law, the Town has to report water usage to the State annually, which includes an audit. The town is not permitted, by law, to wave water use bills to customers, for whatever reason. That is why, no matter how much someone pleads with Town Hall, they are responsible for that water bill, regardless of the amount.
Protect yourself and your bank account by turning your water valve off, when you are not in Highlands!