I don鈥檛 know if it is sturdy because it鈥檚 made of plastic and probably could break if you drop it on cement or water in a blizzard. It actually sets properly very easily and doesn鈥檛 go past the points set and water areas I don鈥檛 want it to like the house or sidewalk. It seems to work anyways and you can adjust the spray to sprinkle a smaller amount so you don鈥檛 wash away soil in the garden. It鈥檚 very quiet and the cat doesn鈥檛 like it.