RIO RANCHO, N.M. -- More than a dozen Rio Rancho residents are giving themselves the option to sue the city.

In late April, Target 7 investigated the damage burst pipes caused some homeowners.

Now homeowners have filed a legal notice that could lead to a lawsuit. The notice gives them the option to sue anytime over the next two years and requires the city to keep documentation about a spike in city water pressure on April 25, 2008.

Homeowners said the city caused the spike and didn't know the consequences.

"I'm an engineer; I deal in statistics every day. Seventeen homes at the exact same time burst while the city was doing work on the pipes. It's not a coincidence," said Dan McCorkle.

During Target 7's initial investigation, the city manager said the pressure did spike to at least 115 pounds of pressure, and that it's usually kept at 80 pounds per square inch.

Homeowners said their pipes are built to withstand only 100 pounds.