Any local public body which is eligible for federal aid, grant or assistance under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act for a portion of the cost of acquiring or constructing a project may apply also to the authority for a grant. The application shall describe the project and state the total estimated cost of the project, the amount anticipated to be paid by federal aid or assistance under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the amount which the applicant will contribute to the project, that request is made for a state grant for the remainder of the estimated cost of the project and the plan or program proposed for funding such grant. The application shall be accompanied by a certificate or letter from the Alabama Water Improvement Commission or other state agency having authority to submit a state water control plan pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, stating that the project proposed by the applicant is in conformity with the state water pollution control plan submitted pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and is entitled to priority over other eligible projects on the basis of financial as well as water pollution control needs.