A sand-bearing water-soluble stick is provided, which descends rapidly through a column of salt water in a well, allowing the efficient and accurate placement of a column of sand throughout a particular interval of downhole pipe. Methods of use are provided which include sand placement techniques utilizing the stick in typical oil and gas well applications. Sizing and shaping options are provided which assist the user in correlating the sticks to the appropriate piping. In the preferred embodiment, the stick is formed from sand and polyethylene glycol, although the stick can be made with solid materials other than sand, and with other water-soluble bonding agents.