that seems super complicated, no wonder you had to redo it!
sharing time!
Here is level -1 z, this shows the network of underground tunnels connecting the many lakes. This is only a small sample of the many lakes, there are more offscreen. the white arrow is pointing to the entrance to the stairwell that the water is being fed in to via gravity.
this is level -4 z, at the bottom of the stairwell and the beginning of the cistern. visible, at white arrow 1# is the floodgate being controlled by the pressure plate. not visible, at white arrow 2# is the emergency shut-off floodgate that i had preprepared should an accident occur with the pressure plate.
further down, this is the actual cistern. not very superhuge is it? the white box indicates the location of the pressure plate. the red square indicates the relative location of the above well and the spot any children will be should they fall. the stairway to safety is only a scant 3 blocks away. its effectiveness in preventing death has yet to be tested. the water level is settled at a comfortable 5/7.
this is level -2 z, this is the bedroom hall. the white arrow is pointing to the well. the stairway leading to the cistern's emergency shutoff is right below it. with this configuraton, with the well right there, any injured dwarves will be serviced with water in a safe and timely fashion.
i'm more than willing to accept critism should anyone find a serious failing with my system.
