Abstract: Methods for providing polymer to a wellbore site include mixing a dry polymer with an aqueous medium at a location remote from the wellbore for a period of time sufficient for substantially complete hydration, transporting the hydrated polymer solution to the wellbore site, and injecting at least a portion of the hydrated polymer solution external to a chemical blending tub at the wellbore site to reduce shearing of the polymer. The hydrated polymer solution can be injected at the low or high pressure regions of the system manifold, before or after the high pressure pumps, before or after the blending tub, or any combination of injection points. Non-ionic polymer solutions can be used due to the fact that the solution is hydrated prior to transport, and no additional mixing or fluid at the wellbore site is necessary to hydrate the polymer.