Water is for DM/DMP only, no one else, not EMER. In fact, I think it might even be a valid complaint if an FP was reported for giving out water to anyone else (including OWE).
According to my cabin crew friends, it was officially clarified in their weekly newsletter one or two years ago that partner elites should not be treated the same. Of course once on the plane, they dare not challenge their seniors so it still happens.
maybe the elite-load was so poor that they felt like they needed to? I really dont understand why they would though. Or to approach them for in-flight purchases or to sign up to MPC?
More likely an ignorant FP - since the manifest/ipad records down to AM, one who might not be able to distinguish between EM/SA/SL/RU/GR/AM etc might just copy everything down and let the SP to decide how much extra attention to give for these. There are also other markings like ID, our favorite 'arrow', etc...
The only thing(s) on the chart they are 100% aware of, or have been brainwashed enough to be aware of, is 'DM', and to a lesser extent GO. That's about it.