A comparative study was conducted on three commercial water-soluble polymers: partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (Separan AP30—Dow Chemicals), polyethylene oxide (Polyox Coagulant—Union Carbide), and xanthan gum (Keltrol—Kelco). Both the steady shear and the dynamic properties were examined. The presence of salt significantly reduces the viscous and elastic properties of Separan AP30. Negligible changes were observed for Polyox Coagulant. However, some marginal reduction in these properties was evident for xanthan gum at low salt concentration up tocsof 0.05 M, beyond which no effect was observed. The relationship between the rheological properties of the polymers and the salt concentration is governed by the charged characteristics of the polymer chains. The present study suggests that it is more desirable to use xanthan gum than polyacrylamide in a high-salt environment. Polyethylene oxide is usually avoided due to its cost and low resistance to mechanical degradation.