Advocates of socio-hydrogeology propose that the management and protection of groundwater supplies can benefit from innovative approaches that incorporate behavioural and cognitive research insights from the social sciences. These benefits are particularly relevant at the farm, non-farm household and business level in rural areas that have a direct connection and dependence on groundwater provided through private water wells. However, implementing socio-hydrogeology as envisioned requires a transformation of the scope of research and practice. This transformation presents challenges and opportunities for groundwater professionals. Challenges include acknowledging and making a shift to a more open and inclusive style of research and practice. Opportunities exist for groundwater professionals to participate in the development and implementation of policies and programs that will be more relevant for and have a greater likelihood of being implemented by rural communities. Both challenges and opportunities require an alternative approach to research and practice that facilitates engagement and collaboration. Transdisciplinary community-based research (TCBR) is one example of an alternative approach that may provide an example for groundwater professionals to engage and collaborate with rural community representatives when seeking better solutions to groundwater concerns. This paper presents a case study where research was guided by the TCBR approach during co-development of educational materials and delivery programs. The research purposefully involved representatives of community-based and technical knowledge-holder organizations using a process that acknowledged and integrated diverse rural community beliefs, concerns, needs and values with science concerning private water wells and groundwater management and protection.