Abstract: A system for marking and detecting an underground utility is provided. In particular, the present invention relates to a system of risers that are each coupled to an underground utility. Additionally, a free end of each riser is indirectly coupled to an adjacent riser via a colored cable, wherein the colored cable is positioned at a predetermined height above the underground utility. Finally, the color of the cable is selected to visually identify the type of utility to which the system of risers is coupled.