CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Hundreds of homes in Charlotte have a relatively new way of getting electricity.

Last year, the city started converting wastewater into energy. 

When someone flushes their toilet the sewage ends up in one of five wastewater treatment plants in Charlotte.

During the process there's something called aeration which is when methane gas is produced.

The city turns the gas into energy which is sold to Duke Energy.

"The power is going to get produced locally. It's getting produced cleanly. It's renewable. As long as someone's flushing their toilet or using water in their home, we'll be able to make power here," said Charlotte Water Project Manager William Rice.

The energy is used to power 800 homes in Charlotte.

For more information on the combined heat and power facility click here.