A treating liquid for depositing a hydrated metal oxide comprises a basic aqueous solution of an oxide of an amphoteric metal and a pH reducing reactant that subsequently lowers the pH of the solution to one at which a hydrated oxide of the amphoteric metal is precipitated. The treating liquid can provide a single step process for consolidating or plugging a sand and/or can comprise a sand consolidating or plugging component of a drilling, fracturing, perforating, oil-displacing, or the like, type of fluid.
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