the viscosity of thickened aqueous solutions of water - soluble polymers is reduced by the addition of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of hypochlorous acid and tertiary amines . the combination of the salt and the tertiary amine is much more efficient in speed of reduction in viscosity and in the completeness of the degradation of the polymer than the use of the metal salt alone . the process of this invention is particularly useful in fracturing of oil wells .