There is also the universal orange coolant that is like the pink but more available in stores. Some people prefer it in case you have a coolant leak on the road somewhere, it can be hard to find a VW dealer at 9 oclock at night but Walmart is always open.
Auto zone too.
I myself use the pink stuff but I'm daring that way.
I also don't take many long trips.
Oh, as for the hard water - I think you should be using distilled.