a water driven phenomenon instead of a dust whirlwind, but there is no evidence that water is being rapidly released into the atmosphere in these locations, and there is plenty of evidence that dust is moved around the surface by the wind.

There are signs that suggest recent or even current fluid action at the surface on many scales, though the dust devils are not those signs. What the fluid is remains to be determined, even though "water" is the default. More likely is an acidic brine or briney acid. Or something sulphurous and nasty and foul. Water as such is unlikely -- though not impossible.

At this point, it's not even clear that a fluid on the surface, or rapidly subliming water or battery acid or whatever, would be immediately recognized for what it is. But if it is there, there's no reason it shouldn't be recognized in time.