A chemical treatment apparatus for diluting and activating a polymeric material can include a mixing chamber having a first end, a second end, a first baffle plate positioned between the first end and second end, a high shear mixing zone positioned between the first end of the mixing chamber and the first baffle plate, and a low shear mixing zone positioned downstream from the high shear agitation zone between the second end of the mixing chamber and the first baffle plate. The volume ratio of the high shear mixing zone to the low shear mixing zone can be in the range of 1:2 to 1:10. A method and system for diluting and activating polymeric materials are also disclosed.