The present embodiments generally relate to the treatment of produced water such as produced water resulting from an industrial process such as one involving the use of copious amounts of water and the addition of one or more polymers such as viscosifying or thickening polymers, in particular enhanced oil recovery processes or another processes resulting in polymer flooded produced water. These treatment methods include contacting the produced water with one or more reducing agents and one or more metals, wherein said treatment may result in a reduction of the viscosity of said produced water and/or the degradation of polymers which are contained therein.