The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public from physical harm, prevent injury to persons and property, and prevent interruptions of utility service resulting from damage to utility facilities and sewer laterals caused by blasting or excavating operations by providing a method whereby the location of utility facilities and sewer laterals will be made known to persons planning to engage in blasting or excavating operations so that such persons may observe proper precautions with respect to such utility facilities and sewer laterals.