Manchester Port Health Authority is the local authority for the Manchester Ship Canal and River Weaver including the ports of Eastham, Ellesmere, Manisty, Stanlow, Ince, Weston, Runcorn, Partington, Irlam, and Salford. The Authority, originally Manchester Port Sanitary Authority, was established in 1896 following the designation of the Manchester Ship Canal as a customs port.

The latest Port Health Order amended in 2009 (following the creation of Cheshire West and Chester Council) sets out the area of jurisdiction for the authority.

Today the authority is responsible for a wide range of public health controls including:

Ship sanitation inspections and certificates

Food Standards, Food Safety and Water Quality (ships and land)

Infectious disease control

Environmental Protection

Pest control

Smoke Free Legislation

Emergency planning

Import controls for high risk products of non animal origin

The Authority is managed by Chief Port Health Officer John Robinson and staffed by two full time Port Health Officers (Environmental Health Officers), one part time office manager and one part time relief officer (Environmental Health Officer).