Polyacrylamide (PAM) generated during the sand washing process exerts an impact on the workability and mechanical properties of cement mortar. This research investigated the effect of PAM content on the setting time, initial fluidity and time-dependent fluidity loss rate and strength of cement paste and cement mortar. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to analyze the effect of PAM on the hydration process of ordinary Portland cement. Additionally, the effects of different types and content of water reducers and low-temperature heat treatment PAM sand on the fluidity and mechanical properties of cement mortar were examined. The results indicate that with the increase of PAM content, the final setting time of cement paste increases, the initial fluidity of cement mortar decreases, the time-dependent fluidity loss rate increases, and the 7 and 28 d strengths of cement mortar increases and then decline. The incorporation of PAM scarcely alters the cement hydration products, but suppresses the cement hydration process. The addition of water reducer can enhance the fluidity of cement mortar. Low-temperature heat treatment of PAM-containing sand at 240 ℃ can improve the fluidity and strength of cement mortar.