The present invention is directed to a self-cleaning water pipe including a secondary pipe that directs a stream of filtered water to the top of the main pipe. The stream of water is introduced to the main pipe proximate or adjacent to the mouthpiece in a lateral direction so as to cover the entire inner surface of the main pipe with a water membrane. The water membrane presents a barrier to smoke residue and particulates from being deposited on the inner surface of the main pipe. A tertiary pipe may also introduce a stream of water to a downstem pipe so as to create a similar water membrane in the downstem pipe.