The largest can be up to 10m long, 4m high and over 2.5m wide. Water launchers (ELE), more commonly known as “water cannons”, are almost among the “essentials” on the days (and evenings) of events. If, since the 2010s, they can be used to extinguish the beginnings of fire, they are mainly used to “disperse demonstrators during operations to maintain order”, confirms Sébastien Malzieu, commissioner, deputy head of the Staff at the direction of the Republican Security Companies (CRS).
Fog droplet effect, water curtain and above all spraying… “It’s a powerful but indirect jet, which goes far and causes rain to fall on people. The desired goal is a deterrent and recoil effect. Just by deploying it, it creates a psychological effect of recoil. It’s very effective. And by using it a little bit, it makes it possible to create 15 to 30 meters of distance, without our men or demonstrators being injured, ”he continues.
This was the case on Wednesday, in Rennes, when the water cannons were unsheathed against a tractor during the demonstration of the fishermen. But also six days earlier, in Lyon, where an ELE sprayed part of the procession which advanced from the Guillotière bridge towards the rue de la Barre. A moment filmed by Progress and posted on social media. A surfer then wondered: “But… Shouldn’t we be careful not to waste water? »
“We act according to priorities”
Faced with significant rainfall deficits observed throughout France, and faced with the worrying level of groundwater, the question deserves to be asked. Again Thursday evening, the prefecture of Isère placed the north of the department “in drought vigilance” and called on the population to show “economy and good citizenship” in their use of resources. However, each vehicle has a tank of 4,000 to 10,000 liters of storage water, “refillable” thanks to fire hydrants.
“If there is a ban on using water in the departments, we comply with the regulations, assures Sébastien Malzieu. We obviously act according to priorities. The CRS recalls that “if the crowd is completely calm, there is no reason to spray the participants”.
Verification made, the Rhône and Ille-et-Vilaine are not part of the eight departments placed on vigilance, nor of the seven concerned by water use restrictions. But the Bouches-du-Rhone, whether. However, the presence of ELE was observed during the last inter-union mobilizationlast Thursday, without it being known whether they were used.